tracked leaders, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed final strides
steadied and switched left start, in rear, never near leaders
always towards rear
taken to post early, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
raced wide mid-division, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, stayed on
always in rear
Plenty with chances in a quality handicap including topweight Nocturn, runner-up in a Newmarket Listed race in August after scoring there in June. Perfect Pasture has had an incredible run, winning for the sixth successive time here last month when outstaying Rivellino. Another 7lb rise might just be enough to prevent a seven-timer and Diamond Charlie, who was a close fourth in that latter race after being brought wide, is expected to reverse the places on these terms. Alben Star came good for his third Polytrack success at Wolverhampton but a 4lb rise gives him a bit more to do and he was behind IPTISAM on that track in December. The latter hasn't run subsequently but is a progressive type with just eight starts to his credit and looks ready to gain his first success on the surface. Another lightly-raced type, Absolutely So, has already won twice over the course and distance and can make his presence felt and Woolfall Soveriegn could go well.
Nocturn 50-1 (8-13) Mid-division center, merged with stand side halfway, weakened over 1f out, 25th of 26, 23l behind Highland Colori (8-13) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Perfect Pasture 11-4fav (9-0) Led 1f, with leader, led again narrowly over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well final 100 yards, won at Lingfield 6f hcap (2) pol in Jan beating Rivellino (9-1) by 2l, 11 ran.
Woolfall Sovereign (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, headway under pressure over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Silken Express (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcap (2) fbs in Jan.
Alben Star (IRE) 7-4 (9-4) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to challenge entering final furlong, ran on to lead final 100 yards, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan beating Trinityelitedotcom (9-7) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Piscean (USA) 22-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, moderate effort over 2f out, never on terms, 10th of 12, 20l behind My Freedom (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Oct.
Rivellino 11-4fav (9-1) Led after 1f, headed narrowly over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on, held final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Perfect Pasture (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcap (2) pol in Jan.
Iptisam 5-1 (9-3) Tracked winner, driven 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on and every chance inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 8, ns behind Trinityelitedotcom (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Dec.
Clockmaker (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, soon not quicken and beaten, last of 13, 6l behind Alfred Hutchinson (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcap (2) pol in Jan.
Noble Deed 10-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Trinityelitedotcom (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan.
Taajub (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) In touch, headway to challenge well over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Trinityelitedotcom (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan.
Absolutely So (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, ran on, no impression on very easy winner, 2nd of 10, nk behind Discussiontofollow (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Diamond Charlie (IRE) 9-4 (8-13) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, challenging when short of room closing stages, ran on, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Caspian Prince (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan.
