held up towards rear, headway approaching final furlong, switched left just inside final furlong, soon led, pushed out, readily
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, headway on inner approaching final furlong, ridden carried head high and no impression towards finish
raced wide close up, pushed along 4f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace
dwelt in rear, switched to outer over 3f out, ridden and some headway inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
Furzig has been thereabouts in a couple of higher grade contests this month and there is little between the latter and Protected Guest on running over 1m2f here earlier. Oslo has been raised 5lb for winning over 1m2f at Chelmsford a fortnight ago with THE TRADER returning a beaten favourite. But Mark Johnston’s charge was only beaten a neck over today’s longer trip before that and can turn the tables re-opposing on better terms. The remaining trio have all been hurdling with Midnights Legacy debuting on the all-weather having undergone wind surgery since last in action.
Furzig 10-1 (9-7) Steadied start, in rear, pushed along and headway inside final furlong, ran on, nearest finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Al Zaraqaan (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
The Trader (IRE) 3-1fav (9-10) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 3/4l behind Oslo (8-5) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Protected Guest 4-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, switched right 2f out, carried head high and headway entering final furlong, pushed along to press winner inside final furlong, not quicken close home, 2nd of 9, shd behind C'Est No Mour (9-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Midnights Legacy 10-1 (10-12) Held up, effort before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, mistake last, last of 7, dist behind Duffle Coat (10-12) at Wetherby 2m lst (1) gs in Oct.
Night Bear 8-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, behind when slightly hampered 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Goodbye Stranger (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Oslo 8-1 (8-5) Keen tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged left, driven out, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Dec beating Centroid (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Long Call 7-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway when left 3rd 2 out, weakened approaching last, pressed for 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 15 3/4l behind Demopolis (10-11) at Hereford 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.