close up, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong
keen tracked leaders, chased leader 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on
raced wide in touch, headway after 2f, led over 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
raced wide led after 2f, pushed along and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led 2f, tracked leaders, lost place approaching 2f out, rallied final furlong
in rear, pushed along 2f out, not trouble leaders
towards rear, pushed along 2f out, no impression
ALWAYS A DRAMA has her first start since winning at Kempton in October but she was also returning from an absence on that occasion. Charlie Hills’ filly may prove good enough to defy a penalty with doubts surrounding the opposition. Ballyquin should figure off his current mark but that was also the case when a disappointing favourite at Newcastle last time while better was expected from Minuty at Wolverhampton last week having gone close at Kempton on her earlier debut. Favori Royal made only a modest start at Southwell recently and it remains to be seen if he fares any better on this surface.
Always A Drama (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Raced wide, chased leaders, challenged 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, led final 100 yards, won going away, won at Kempton 6f stks (5) pol in Oct beating Poetic Principle (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Ballyquin (IRE) 15-8fav (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Breathtaking Look (9-4) at Newcastle 6f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Barritus 66-1 (9-2) Took keen hold and always about same place in mid-division, 8th of 14, 14 3/4l behind Walk In The Sun (9-2) at Kempton 7f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Dunstall Dreamer 50-1 (9-5) Dwelt, always behind, 10th of 11, 28l behind Creek Harbour (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Favori Royal (FR) 3-1 (9-2) Slow into stride pushed along and outpaced, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 6, 8 1/4l behind Global Melody (9-2) at Southwell 5f stks (5) pol in Dec.
Farl (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Pressed leader, led narrowly 4f out, headed 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 13 1/4l behind Creek Harbour (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Minuty 9-2 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no impression, 4th of 13, 5l behind Benny And The Jets (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Paminah 20-1 (8-11) Raced wide, tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Amouri Gleam (9-2) at Southwell 7f stks (5) pol in Dec.