tracked leaders, effort just inside, kept on same pace
held up, headway entering final furlong, soon switched right, ran on strongly to lead towards finish
held up, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders
keen towards rear, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong, went 3rd post, nearest finish
tracked leaders on outer, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, headway entering final furlong, ridden and ran on to go 2nd near finish
restless stalls and jumped awkwardly, slow into stride, always in rear
broke smartly, led early, pressed leader until ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
soon led, ridden clear over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong
This looks wide open with a tentative vote going to SULIS MINERVA to land her hat-trick. She's won her last two starts over 6f here with a bit in hand and recorded her maiden win over today's shorter trip. Royal Bajan is upped in class after a victory at Kempton, while Falasteen and Island Legend are also facing tougher tasks having been placed on the Polytrack last time. Sir Geoffrey has claims on his best form and so does stablemate Six Wives, but Where's Reiley had an easier opportunity at Southwell yesterday, although he'd still have decent claims if taking part today.
Sir Geoffrey (IRE) 11-1 (8-0) Pushed along to chase leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Woolfall Sovereign (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Jan.
Taajub (IRE) 9-2fav (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Whaileyy (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Where's Reiley (USA) 80-1 (9-2) Broke sharply and led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Capone (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol.
Six Wives 11-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Even Stevens (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Jan.
Clear Praise (USA) 5-1 (9-2) Dwelt, held up towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 13l behind Whaileyy (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Billy Red 9-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, effort 2f out, soon hung left, not run on, 8th of 10, 11l behind Lujeanie (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Sulis Minerva (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating The Strig (9-1) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Falasteen (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Led, ridden 2f out, edged left and carried head high entering final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Roman Strait (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Royal Bajan (USA) 11-8fav (9-7) Made all, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Liberal Lady (8-5) by 1l, 7 ran.
Island Legend (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Led, clear when ridden and edged left over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Perlachy (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
