steadied start, held up in rear, never on terms
tracked leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led over 7f out, headed well over 1f out, soon rallied, no extra closing stages
soon led, headed over 7f out, lost place 2f out
in touch, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, easily
broke well, soon chasing leaders, effort over 2f out, soon no impression
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, soon strongly challenged, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
The hat-trick-seeking Echo Brava carries a penalty for his victory in an amateurs' handicap at Kempton last week and that is a bit of a worry in the day's most competitive race, though Ross Atkinson takes off 3lb. Oratorio's Joy finished just ahead of Scottish Star over track and trip last month but there may not be much to choose between the pair on today's revised terms and Blue Wave could be interesting back on the Polytrack. He's already won twice on the surface. SLIP OF THE TONGUE has won twice over course and distance and, though he's left Sir Mark Prescott since an excellent third at Musselburgh in October, could have too much class for these as he gets weight from the returning Cry Fury and out-of-form Mica Mika.
Cry Fury 16-1 (9-7) Pulled hard, led after 1f, headed 4f out and dropped to 3rd, weakened and eased inside final 3f, virtually pulled up 2f out, tailed off, last of 10, 44l behind Star Lahib (9-11) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug.
Mica Mika (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Chased leaders on outside, dropped to rear 6f out, outpaced 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 31l behind Masterful Act (9-9) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (0-90) (3) fbs.
Scottish Star 9-2 (8-11) Dwelt towards rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 9, 2l behind Rakaan (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Slip of The Tongue 5-1 (8-7) Led 1f, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Commissioned (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Oct.
Blue Wave (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 14l behind Twelve Strings (9-7) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Oratorio's Joy (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Rakaan (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Echo Brava 4-1 (9-11) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f Amateur Handicap (0-85) (4yo+) (4) pol beating Silsol (9-8) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.