tracked leader until 3f out, ridden, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outer 3f out, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up, headway to lead on bit 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on
held up, headway on inside 3f out, soon short of room, ridden, weakened over 1f out
reared start, soon led, ridden, headed 3f out, weakening when not much room over 2f out
Mutamaasek has looked ahead of the handicapper but another rise in the weights demands more, whilst Maslak has a 5lb pull in the weights for that running too when he was back in third. Kindlelight Blue and Fusili look like dangers but both are yet to win past ten furlongs. A puzzle then, in which Fusili gets the narrow vote. Whilst there are doubts over stamina, this small field will suit and it may turn into a bit of a sprint for the line in which Fusili's turn of foot could prove the key. Neil Callan gets the leg up and now on a nice mark (has won off a 10lb higher one in the past), a big run could be forthcoming. Mutamaasek has been a winning machine for connections of late but this race looks tougher although it would be folly to rule him out, Kindlelight Blue has winning course form and is only 3lb higher than his best winning mark. Maslak is progressive and Peter Hiatt has his horses in fair form so should be respected, however it is Fusili who gets the vote.
Bazart 100-1 (8-3) Held up, effort over 2f out, no impression, 11th of 21, 10l behind Malt Or Mash (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) gf in Nov.
Fusili (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 7, 1/2l behind Mataram (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Mutamaasek (USA) 5-2fav (9-6) Held up in touch, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating War of The Roses (9-6) by a nk, 7 ran.
Maslak (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Mutamaasek (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Kindlelight Blue (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) In touch, effort over 3f out, ridden and stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Art Man (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
Pret A Porter (UAE) 5-1 (8-9) In touch, pushed along over 4f out, one pace from over 2f out, no impression, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Buster Hyvonen (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcap (4) std.