tracked winner, beaten from 2 out, lost 2nd place last, one pace
made all, clear from 2 out, kept on well
tracked leaders, in 3rd, pushed along before 4 out, soon outpaced
in rear and in touch, in 4th, outpaced from 4 out, went 2nd from last, no chance with winner
There may only be four runners in this but it’s possibly the best race on the card. Fair Loch was only a plater over hurdles but looked as though chasing could be his game when scoring by 11 lengths at Ayr. Thankyou Very Much recorded a similar winning distance at Leicester when following up an earlier win around here. Mixboy is two from two over the larger obstacles and has been a model of consistency over the last 12 months but OLIVER’S GOLD (NAP) could be the one today. He was only beaten a neck at Doncaster on his latest start and is still well handicapped on his best form, despite a subsequent 2lb rise.
Fair Loch 4-1 (11-12) Tracked clear leader, close up 4th, led 7th, drew clear on bit from 4 out, unchallenged after, very easily, won at Ayr 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Quick Decisson (11-1) by 11l, 6 ran.
Mixboy (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Led to 4th, led again 7th, clear after 2 out, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m (4) gd in Sep beating Prince Khurram (11-7) by 6l, 8 ran.
Oliver's Gold 11-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, left 2nd 3 out, challenged 2 out, held close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Festive Affair (11-11) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Thankyou Very Much 1-2fav (11-7) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd on long run to 4 out, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, pushed clear run-in, readily, won at Leicester 2m hcp (4) fm in Dec beating Nefyn Bay (11-10) by 11l, 3 ran.
