steadied start, held up in touch, ridden and no impression over 1f out
steadied and awkward leaving stalls, switched left and held up well off the pace in last pair, headway between horses over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, never able to challenge
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, rallied on inside over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
took keen hold, chased leader until 3f out, rallied and stayed on to 2nd again final 100 yards until close home
held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, ridden and no progress over 1f out
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, held on towards finish
took keen hold, held up in touch, headway to chase winner 3f out, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2 places final 100 yards,
held up rear of mid-division, ridden well over 2f out, no progress well over 1f out
started slowly, took keen hold, held up and always last, never involved
Whipcrackaway and Mcvicar have both been in winning for over hurdles this winter but neither looks particularly well treated back on the Flat. Smokey Oakey looks a light of former days while Gaelic Silver has a bit prove at present but there is nothing wrong with CONDUCTING's recent form and he's on a hat-trick over course and distance after stepping out of claimers to win a handicap last month. Only raised 4lb, he can continue his run. Wolverhampton fourth Dazzling Valentine should also be thereabouts and Safwaan has been knocking on the door here lately and is another to consider ahead of Super Duplex and Aviso.
Smokey Oakey (IRE) 22-1 (9-2) Raced centre tracked leader until ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, last of 9, 50l behind Odin (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (6) gd in Sep.
Gaelic Silver (FR) 25-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 12l behind Reflect (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Dazzling Valentine 16-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on to go 4th near finish, not trouble leaders, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Patriotic (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Conducting 8-1 (9-3) Made virtually all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Bert The Alert (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Whipcrackaway (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up in touch in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 12th of 14, 9l behind Livia's Dream (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sep.
Understory (USA) 10-1 (9-6) Led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 7, 5l behind Norfolk Sky (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Super Duplex 16-1 (8-8) Led, driven inside final 2f, ridden and hard pressed inside final furlong, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Storm Runner (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Mcvicar 7-1 (7-13) Tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 4l behind Amoya (8-13) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) fm in Jul.
Aviso (GER) 28-1 (8-7) Behind, never nearer, 7th of 10, 11l behind Noble Jack (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Safwaan 2-1fav (9-5) Dwelt towards rear, headway when switched right entering final furlong, ridden and ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Bridge That Gap (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
