steadied start, held up in rear, switched to outer 3f out, headway to track leaders 2f out, effort to challenge winner inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
raced wide, close up, pushed along 9f out, ridden 5f out, soon dropped to rear, detached when pulled up 2f out
held up, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
dwelt, in touch, ridden over 3f out, headway to track leader over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, found extra when pressed inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
The betting suggested Golly Miss Molly would return to form at Kempton last time and she duly obliged with Delagoa Bay a well behind in fifth. She's upped 5lb for that while MIGHTY THOR has been raised 7lb after scoring easily over track and trip with Feb Thirtyfirst well beaten and Grand Facile back in fourth. The latter has subsequently won so that form looks solid and Lydia Richards' charge can go in again. Megara was eight lengths behind the winner when runner-up at Chelmsford last week and Helmsman has not raced since August.
Golly Miss Molly 11-4fav (9-8) Held up towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Activation (8-6) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Feb Thirtyfirst 9-2 (9-11) Started slowly, last pair, plugged on final 2f, never involved, 6th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Golly Miss Molly (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Mighty Thor 3-1 (10-5) Held up on inner, smooth headway from over 3f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, comfortable, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Investissement (10-11) by 8l, 9 ran.
Megara 6-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, went modest 2nd over 2f out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Coorg (8-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Helmsman (IRE) (8-11) 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Cosmic City (8-11) at Clairefontaine 1m 6f stks gd in Aug.
Grand Facile 7-1 (8-7) Made all, quickened over 4f out, hard driven over 2f out, hard pressed approaching final furlong, held on gamely under pressure, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Flighty Filia (9-7) by hd, 5 ran.
Delagoa Bay (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Led after 1f, headed over 2f out, soon lost place, 7th of 9, 11l behind Mr Boss Man (9-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.