tracked leader, led halfway, soon driven clear, headed and no extra close home
settled towards rear, headway well over 1f out, never on terms
prominent, ridden and effort approaching final furlong, kept on same pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, chased leaders, hard ridden and effort well over 1f out, ran on to lead closing stages
behind, headway on wide outside well over 1f out, soon driven and no impression
led until halfway, rallied approaching final furlong, soon weakened
chased leaders, under pressure halfway, soon beaten
slowly into stride, raced in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace towards finish
MATSUNOSUKE has rediscovered the winning touch just lately and he is at a sizeable advantage over most of these at the weights so we will side with him to make it three from four. Ron Harris's eight-year-old went a long time without success until scoring over this trip at Wolverhampton last month. He has since won a 6f claimer and then gone well in a handicap, but this return to the minimum trip and another claimer can see him win once more. The danger looks to be Ebraam. Mike Murphy's gelding loves it here with three wins including one at this trip and he has only 4lb to find with our pick compared to if this were a handicap, so he is much respected. Lewyn goes well at Wolverhampton, with all four career wins recorded there, but this trip suits and this is her first try at this track. She has frame claims along with Silaah.
Silaah 4-1fav (9-6) Hampered start, behind, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ran on, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Swiss Cross (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Matsunosuke 12-1 (9-12) Keen tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 3l behind Take Ten (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Dancing Freddy (IRE) 22-1 (9-2) Soon led, lost cheekpiece 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind Hulcote Rose (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Ebraam (USA) 7-4fav (9-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Monte Mayor One (8-1) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (6) pol in May.
Lewyn 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Whozthecat (8-11) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Brandywell Boy (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Anne Of Kiev (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Hatman Jack (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Chased leaders on outsde, ridden 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 12, 22l behind Bold Ring (8-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
The Magic of Rio 40-1 (8-6) Led 1f, remained close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 18l behind Avertuoso (8-12) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-58 (6) gs in Sep.
Wanchai Whisper 12-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Stratton Banker (9-5) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.