tracked clear leader, left in lead after 6f, made rest, ridden over 1f out, ran on well
chased leaders, under pressure over 4f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up in rear, under pressure over 4f out, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms
held up in touch, weakened over 4f out, moderate 4th
led, pulled hard, soon clear, headed when hung badly right and tried to run out on stable bend after 6f, soon behind, tailed off
It's hard to get away from EXEMPLARY in this contest. He was beaten less than a length on his return to action in a handicap at Wolverhampton earlier this month and comes out best at the weights. Mark Johnston's charge is s confident selection. Crunched has something to prove at the distance and Kempton winner Kavaloti could prove a bigger threat on his comeback, but the remainder are out of sorts and look up against it on today's terms.
Crunched 20-1 (9-10) Led, headed 10f out, tracked leader, led again over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Tornado Force (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Exemplary 5-2 (10-0) Led, ridden and edged left entering final furlong, soon headed kept on, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Rosewood Lad (8-13) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
No Rules 16-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, raced wide towards rear, pushed along and struggling over 3f out, 12th of 13, 44l behind Spice Fair (10-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Kavaloti (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 7th of 8, 26l behind Money Money Money (9-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Keep A Welcome 200-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 10l behind Irons On Fire (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Dec.
Putin (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Led and hung right, headed over 3f out, lost place over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 6, 10l behind Overrule (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f sell stks (6) fbs.