behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, not clear run on inner over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong nearest finish
always towards rear, struggling over 2f out
mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, switched right 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong gaining towards finish
led, hard pressed from over 1f out, stayed on well until headed post
prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not quite reach leaders
prominent, ridden 2f out, wide into straight, not quicken over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, some late headway final 2f, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress, soon weakened
in rear, ridden over 2f out, good headway over 1f out, finished well nearest finish
tracked leader to over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden and stayed on well from over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, led post
held up, ridden 4f out, weakened inside final 2f
mid-division, lost place over 2f out, soon beaten
Pass The Port is taken to reverse Wolverhampton form with Heathyards Pride, while True Companion and Eastborough are both worth a mention at least. Quite a few have claims in this class 4 handicap, and only a narrow vote goes to Pass The Port who can meet Heathyards Pride on four-pound better terms for the neck that separated them at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day. The latter was completing a double then, having earlier won narrowly at Southwell, and is sure to run well again, but if Michael Fenton can roust Pass The Port up near the finish, he can hang on instead of being caught close home. True Companion stuck to his task well when a close second over the course and distance last time, but is perhaps a shade high in the weights at present and that will once again count against him. Eastborough is also plenty high enough in the handicap at present but will appreciate the step back up in trip after his close second over 10 furlongs last week. The weights favour Pass The Port though and he is the one to be on.
The Violin Player (USA) 13-2 (8-5) Held up, headway 7f out, hard ridden 1f out, soon one pace, 5th of 8, 2l behind Cold Turkey (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Heathyards Pride 11-2 (9-3) Held up, headway on outside entering straight, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Pass The Port (9-4) by a nk, 9 ran.
Gibraltar Bay (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Led over 10f out, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 12, hd behind Pass The Port (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
True Companion 5-1fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, nk behind Captain Margaret (7-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Pass The Port 7-2fav (9-4) Held up in touch, led going well just over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 9, nk behind Heathyards Pride (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Burgundy 8-1 (8-7) Started slowly, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 3/4l behind Dower House (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Eastborough (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Dwelt, held up, headway and switched over 1f out, ran on well, just held, 2nd of 14, nk behind Sir Haydn (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Willhego 13-2 (9-0) In touch, led 3f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 14, 2l behind Sir Haydn (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
