pulled hard in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, behind from over 1f out
close up, ridden over 2f out, driven over 1f out, staying on when hampered inside final furlong
tracked leader, led briefly approaching 2f out, soon ridden, still every chance inside final furlong, no extra near finish
held up in rear, headway on outside from over 3f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, hung right final furlong, headed near finish
dwelt, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead near finish
led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, soon beaten
In the seller, The Slider is selected ahead of A Nod And A Wink and Peppin's Gold. A Nod And A Wink is a bit in and out but, based on his run at Wolverhampton last time and a January mile run outside of today's basement level, he is afforded plenty of respect. Bertrada steps up in trip on only his second run at this level and cannot be ruled out in a weak affair. Best Woman has not built on earlier promise, while Peppin's Gold also steps up in trip having been placed at this level in each of his last two runs. He has to be given all due respect. Interestingly - or worryingly, depending on how you want to read it - Smiling Tiger drops to this grade after just one well-beaten run, but his pedigree suggests that today's trip should suit a lot better than the seven furlongs of his debut. However, The Slider has yet to race outside of today's level but, having been allotted a mark of 57 following a good second at Wolverhampton last time, she probably sets the benchmark to today's form and, accordingly, gets the vote.
Smiling Tiger 80-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden and weakened 3f out, last of 10, 36l behind Grand Lucre (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
A Nod And A Wink (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, 6th of 13, 1l behind Muree Queen (8-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo sll (6) pol.
Bertrada (IRE) 85-40fav (8-13) In rear, switched and effort 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 7l behind Raven Rascal (8-2) at Southwell 1m 3yo sll hcp (6) fbs.
Best Woman 14-1 (8-13) Pushed along towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 14l behind Muree Queen (8-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo sll (6) pol.
First Frost 50-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, behind, outpaced over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 10l behind Muree Queen (8-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo sll (6) pol.
Peppin's Gold (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Raven Rascal (8-2) at Southwell 1m 3yo sll hcp (6) fbs.
The Slider 9-1 (8-8) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, soon edged right, kept on, 3rd of 13, nk behind Muree Queen (8-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo sll (6) pol.