tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led until headed over 2f out, weakened under pressure over 1f out
started slowly, behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, not trouble leaders
held up mid-division, under pressure 4f out, weakened quickly 3f out, soon tailed off
prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, led last strides
in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, headed and no extra last strides
slowly into stride, always towards rear, ridden and no impression from over 2f out
held up, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd final furlong, not reach leaders
towards rear, some headway on outer 2f out into mid-division, no progress final 2f, one pace
mid-division, ridden and no impression on leaders final 2f
started very slowly, always in rear, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous
Danettie can make the most of his low draw to beat the likes of Captain Darling, Sonntag Blue and Jomus to name but three. Danettie did us a big favour when scoring over the course and distance on 7 December, and duly followed up when sent off a short-priced favourite on a return visit a fortnight later. On his next start at Wolverhampton he was one of just four Mark Brisbourne runners to take part, and indeed was the most fancied, but found one of his stablemates too good as Brisbourne saddled the first three home. The slightly longer trip probably found him out that day, and as he still seems to be improving, there is every reason to believe that he will go close. George Baker takes over from Eddie Ahern and so we can expect him to try and restrain the selection as long as possible before making his move, as the five-year-old does take a fierce hold. Sonntag Blue is housed next to him in stall two, and is another that has been in fine form of late, winning two of his last three starts. Successful over seven furlongs on his return in December, he will be more at home over a mile and is still attractively weighted compared to last year. Captain Darling has plenty of weight but has also been in good form, so has to be respected despite his wide draw, and Jomus drops back in trip after twice finishing second here. They appear to be the main rivals, but Danettie can prove up to the task.
Fortune Point (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) With leader, led 7f out, headed and ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 6l behind Cup of Love (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Captain Darling (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead final strides, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Beneking (8-5) by a nk, 13 ran.
Jomus 8-1 (9-1) In touch, headway over 1f out, chased winner but no impression final furlong, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Red Birr (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Primed Up (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Always in rear, last of 14, 22l behind Red Birr (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Border Edge 16-1 (8-8) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra, 8th of 12, 10l behind Night Storm (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Danettie 11-4fav (9-9) Prominent, led well inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind New England (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (7) pol in Dec.
Sonntag Blue (IRE) 16-1 (8-3) Tracked leader, led inside final furlong, held on well towards finish, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Awarding (8-2) by a nk, 14 ran.
Gallego 14-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 10th of 12, 9l behind El Potro (9-2) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
