tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides
raced wide tracked leaders, effort 2f out, soon every chance until no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, headway on outer entering final furlong, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
awkwardly away close up in rear, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt close up, ridden 2f out, ran on to go 2nd final strides
led, ridden and headed 2f out, every chance until no extra inside final furlong
Johnny Splash scored easily over track and trip back in September but has been raised 9lb for his trouble. MONARCH MAID finished ahead of Cardinal when a close-up sixth here last time and may come good again with Shelley Birkett's allowance helping her cause today. Billy Red pops-up at this level on occasion but Argent Touch is rated 6lb higher back on the all-weather and Howyadoingnotsobad has not won since 2012.
Monarch Maid 8-1 (9-3) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on, held towards finish, 6th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Soaring Spirits (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Billy Red 28-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 5l behind Thataboy (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) in Sep.
Johnny Splash (IRE) 11-10fav (9-4) Quickly away, made all, clear over 1f out, kept on strongly, eased near finish, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep beating Lucky Surprise (8-11) by 4l, 10 ran.
Argent Touch 7-1 (9-4) Dwelt, behind, one pace final furlong, no impression, 9th of 13, 9l behind Pearl Noir (8-12) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jul.
Cardinal 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, driven over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, never reached leaders, 7th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Soaring Spirits (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Howyadoingnotsobad (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) Pressed leader, led halfway, ridden and headed inside final furlong, chased winner until well inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 6th of 12, 4l behind Dynamo Walt (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) in Nov.