slowly away in rear, headway inside final furlong, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt towards rear, headway on inner over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
soon led, pushed along and headed inside final furlong, one pace
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
close up, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
raced wide close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace
keen raced wide, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
NonRunner
Swift Approval had Mr Scaramanga back in third when winning last year’s renewal but hasn’t scored since. Keyser Soze returned to winning ways over track and trip last month when defeating the re-opposing Areen Heart with Swift Approval further behind and has been raised 5lb while Intransigent won a lower grade contest at Chester back in September and is 6lb higher on his return. TAKE THE HELM (NAP) won a handicap over course and distance at last year’s All-Weather Championships and returned to action last week with a decent third at the track behind Salateen. This looks less competitive and Brian Meehan’s charge is fancied to come out best.
Keyser Soze (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway on inner entering final furlong, edged right and led inside final furlong, readily, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec beating Areen Heart (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Take The Helm 9-2 (9-3) With leader, led over 6f out until over 2f out, ridden just over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Salateen (9-3) at Lingfield 1m stks (2) pol in Jan.
Mr Scaramanga 33-1 (9-7) Last to break, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, 8th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Auxerre (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp (3) pol in Oct.
Areen Heart (FR) 9-2 (8-7) Keen raced wide in touch in rear, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 6, 6 1/2l behind Arcanada (9-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Mickey (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind El Hombre (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Reckless Endeavour (IRE) 28-1 (9-6) Behind, headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Dubai One (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Intransigent 2-1fav (9-7) Raced keenly, chased leader on inside until 3f out, handy 3rd, switched right and stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd again final 50 yards, flattered by proximity to winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Ptarmigan Ridge (9-2) at Chester 7f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Swift Approval (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Raced wide tracked leader, riden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Documenting (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Apex King (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) In touch, pushed along and headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Documenting (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.