soon in rear, pushed along 7f out, never a danger
dwelt, held up in rear, pushed along 7f out, staying on when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, kept on but never dangerous
tracked leader until over 3f out
held up in touch, ridden 5f out, outpaced over 3f out, ran on final furlong, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, chased leader over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and soon clear, eased final furlong
led 1f, held up in touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
keen, held up in touch, ridden 5f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, headway to lead after 1f, clear over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
An interesting contest here where we would like to see them in the paddock before being confident in selecting. However, we must pick one and we will side with Permanent Way to make it third time lucky on the racecourse, with Asarabacca and newcomer City Well others of particular interest. The selection is by no means a confident one, but Brian Meehan's colt has begun to get the hang of things in two starts so far, going well when third over 10 furlongs here last time. This extra quarter of a mile should help and we will side with him this time. Asarabacca was half a dozen lengths behind the selection in that same race here. That was the Ed Dunlop-trained filly's debut and she is entitled to come on a fair bit for it and finish closer this time. City Well is sent from Middleham by Mark Johnston and the Sadler's Wells colt makes his racecourse debut. His pedigree should stand him in good stead here and it would be no surprise to see a big run, and the market should give us a clue as to stable confidence. Of the others, Jamie Spencer is booked for Glentaisie, who did not appear to see out 12 furlongs that well at Wolverhampton last time, but is tried over the trip again. Despite a slight stamina doubt, a repeat of that previous run would probably be good enough to see him involved again here, but Permanent Way is our idea of the winner.
Beauchamp United 3-1 (9-0) Held up, never in contention, 11th of 13, 25l behind Mr Excel (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn auc (7) pol in Nov.
City Well Sadler's Wells colt, half-brother to several winners including the useful sprinter Black Rock Desert, dam a winner in the USA.
Coda Agency 40-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, with leader 3f out, every chance 2f out, one pace over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Prince Charlemagne (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Meadow Mischief (FR) 4-7fav (8-3) Led 1f, prominent, pushed along from 5f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 8, 6l behind Ransom Strip (8-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol.
Permanent Way (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Close up, upsides winner from 2f out, held towards finish, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Soho Square (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Pocket Too 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden along over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 3 1/2l behind La Via Ferrata (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Asarabacca (FR) 25-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 14, 7l behind Soho Square (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Glentaisie (USA) 6-4fav (7-12) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, every chance over 2f out, not quicken, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Magic Moth (8-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol.
