tracked leaders, switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, pushed out, readily
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
close up, pushed along 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
close up in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, went 2nd near finish, no threat to winner
close up in rear, pushed along 2f out, not trouble leaders
NonRunner
This depends on the fitness of FOOTSTEPSINTHERAIN. The seven-year-old is very well in though he hasn't run since April of last year when he made all over this trip at Kempton. That came after a long absence so hopefully he'll be ready to do himself justice. Dutiful Son arrives in top form having landed a course and distance handicap last week when Bridge Builder was behind. He has a big weight here but is dropping in class so looks an obvious threat. Strategic Heights, a regular winner on the Polytrack at Dundalk, didn't run well in a Southwell claimer on Monday and has never won over a trip this far while stable companion Haraz has never won in 29 starts though takes a significant drop in grade.
Dutiful Son (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) Close up, ridden and headway to lead inside final furlong, just held on, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Mansfield (9-2) by ns, 10 ran.
Bridge Builder 50-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 4l behind Dutiful Son (9-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Corporal Maddox 40-1 (8-10) Raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, 8th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Tatlisu (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Dec.
Footstepsintherain (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Veered left start, made all, clear 2f out, ran on well, unchallenged, won at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Apr beating Etaad (9-6) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Haraz (IRE) 11-4 (9-6) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 9, 18 1/2l behind Abraj Dubai (9-0) at Southwell 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Lucky Di 8-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Loveatfirstsight (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Strategic Heights (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Raced wide close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 14 1/2l behind Newstead Abbey (9-3) at Southwell 6f stks (6) pol in Dec.