soon led and set steady pace, kicked on 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed 1f out, soon no chance with leader and lost 3rd near finish
held up towards rear and never a factor
mid-division, effort on outside 3f out, soon beaten
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, close up under pressure over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, soon tracked leader, led briefly 1f out, chased winner after, strong challenge near finish, just failed
in touch, pushed along and not quicken 2f out, no impression leaders over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway towards inside over 1f out, kept on under pressure but never able to challenge
took keen hold in mid-division, headway on inside going well 2f out, led just inside final furlong, hard driven to hold on near finish
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong to take 3rd near finish, not pace to reach leading pair
always behind, pushed along and struggling 4f out
chased leaders 9f
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, kept on under pressure final furlong but never dangerous
A very competitive handicap that may fall to Flotta, with Mad Carew and Mith Hill the likely dangers. The selection was last seen out here in November when finishing an excellent second behind Maystock. That was a decent enough effort and he still looks on a very fair mark. Mad Carew hit winning form last time over course and distance, beating good yardstick Coolfore Jade by five lengths. He will be hard to keep out of the frame today. Mith Hill rattled up a hat-trick of wins last season, including two over course and distance. He has risen in the weights but should still be capable of going close if fit for his seasonal debut. Jack Of Trumps was also a prolific winner last season and may do best of the others, but the pick of the weights this afternoon is Flotta, who gets a narrow vote.
Crystal (IRE) 25-1 Tracked leader, driven and lost place 5f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 23l behind Big Moment at Doncaster 1m 4f lst stk (A1) sft in Nov.
Steely Dan 7-1 Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer, 8th of 12, 8l behind Kabeer at Lingfield 1m hcp (D2) pol in Mar.
Tight Squeeze 8-1 Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Far Pavilions at Catterick 1m 6f hcp gd.
Mr Tambourine Man (IRE) 7-1 Held up and behind, headway and effort over 2f out, soon under pressure, weakened, 10th of 12, 11l behind Ringsider at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (D2) gf in Sept.
Flotta 5-2fav Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and chased leader over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, unable to quicken, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Maystock at Lingfield 1m 5f app hcp (E3) pol in Nov.
Mith Hill 9-1 Prominent, chased along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 17th of 24, 45l behind Carte Diamond at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (B1) sft in Nov.
Dovedon Hero 9-1 Unruly start, dwelt, towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, never placed to challenge, 9th of 13, 3 1/2l behind The Violin Player at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (D2) pol in Mar.
Jack of Trumps (IRE) 5-2fav Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 8l behind Jeepstar at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (D2) gf in Sept.
Mad Carew (USA) 5-2fav Chased leaders, improved on bit to chase leader over 2f out, hung left and led 1f out, ridden clear, won at Lingfield 1m 4f clm (F3) pol in Mar beating Coolfore Jade by 5l, 9 ran.
Nassiria 11-1 Chased leaders over 4f, last of 8, 31l behind Tarfah at Kempton 1m lst fll stk gs in Mar.
Jayer Gilles 50-1 Always behind, tailed off final 6f, 12th of 13, well behind Stoop To Conquer at Newbury 2m hcp (D2) sft in Oct.
Arry Dash 8-1 Held up, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong nearest finish, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Authority at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp gs.
