prominent, pushed along to challenge 2f out, kept on inside final furlong to chase winner, always well held
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra
with winner, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, soon lost 2nd place
made all, pressed 2f out, soon shaken up, kept on strongly
Shades Of Mist made a winning handicap debut when scoring over 5f at Southwell and is 6lb higher. Lord Of The Glen is upped a further 3lb for finishing second over 6f here having won over track and trip before that. Mother of Dragons is usually thereabouts without winning so the vote in a tricky closing event goes to MAGIC MARK, who went close over today’s distance at Wolverhampton last month despite not getting a clear run. That was his first start since August having been gelded during the interim and Karl Burke’s charge should also be sharper sporting a first-time visor.
Magic Mark 2-1fav (9-3) Chased leading pair, bumped entering final 2f, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Tiger Lyon (8-9) at Wolverhampton 5f (5) pol in Dec.
Mother of Dragons (IRE) 4-6fav (8-9) Tracked winner, joined winner halfway, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Inuk (8-13) at Lingfield 6f stks (6) pol in Dec.
Shades Of Mist 16-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, hard ridden inside final furlong, strongly pressed towards finish, held on well, won at Southwell 6f (6) pol in Dec beating Good Impression (9-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Lord Of The Glen 11-2 (8-1) Close up, headway to join winner over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Armed Response (9-7) at Newcastle 6f (4) pol in Dec.