raced wide, in touch, headway and close up halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led after 1f, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on
in rear, pushed along over 1 out, never on terms
in touch, pushed along 2f out, no impression final furlong
close up, pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
led 1f, in touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in rear, pushed along and headway inside final furlong, never nearer
dwelt, soon in touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
None of these inspire confidence including last year's winner Billyoakes, who arrives out of form. Catheadans Fury returned from a lay-off with a win at Chelmsford but has been beaten subsequently, though still finished in front of Tawaafoq when fourth here last time. Little Miss Lilly's earlier success at Kempton came over the minimum trip but Captain Ryan was placed over today's distance at Kempton only to disappoint last time. SWISS CROSS has slipped back down the weights since winning at Kempton in October and it could be his turn again today in a weak sprint.
Indian Affair 11-1 (9-4) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 3f out, 10th of 12, 10 1/2l behind Roland Rocks (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Tawaafoq 25-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Wotadoll (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Little Miss Lilly 11-1 (9-7) Led, headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Toni's A Star (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
The Special One (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Slowly away towards rear, pushed along 3f out, never on terms, last of 9, 20l behind Emily Goldfinch (9-6) at Brighton 7f hcp (6) gf in Sep.
Mercers 66-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Jabarout (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Billyoakes (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Prominent early, chased leaders, driven over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, 9th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Roland Rocks (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Holdenhurst 66-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, weakened, 6th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Viola Park (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Swiss Cross 10-1 (8-12) Led and soon joined, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Declamation (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Wotamadam 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear and outpaced, 12th of 14, 14l behind Vegas Boy (9-5) at Chelmsford City 6f (6) pol in Oct.
Sugar Plum Fairy 6-1cfav (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Cool Strutter (8-12) at Brighton 6f hcp (6) gd in Oct.
Captain Ryan 12-1 (9-6) Pulled hard in rear, never a factor, 10th of 13, 5 3/4l behind Poppy May (9-6) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (7) pol in Dec.
Catheadans Fury 12-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never a threat, 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Wotadoll (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.