prominent, smooth progress to lead over 2f out, pushed out inside final furlong, ran on, easily
led, driven over 3f out, soon struggling, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up on the outer, ridden for effort over 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never involved
held up last, pushed along and brief headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up just worse than midfield, niggled along over 2f out, kept on over 1f out, just lacked pace of front pair inside final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along and went 2nd over 2f out, driven out and reminders inside final furlong, no match
GIOIA CIECA faced a tougher task here on his debut back in December and faded into sixth inside the final furlong. This shorter trip should suit and he’s preferred to Lead Story. The latter posted an improved effort over 6f at Wolverhampton last time without threatening while Pop Favorite made some progress at Southwell recently without looking like winning. Rock The Crown was well beaten on his debut and Barry McHugh switches to stablemate and newcomer Brazen Bow.
Gioia Cieca (USA) 25-1 (9-5) Close up in centre, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Oz Legend (9-5) at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Mutakaamil (IRE) 28-1 (9-5) Close up, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 22 1/4l behind Ghost Rider (9-5) at Southwell 7f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Pop Favorite 3-1 (8-8) Prominent, led over 4f out, pushed along and headed 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Aradous (8-8) at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Prince Ali Twilight Son gelding out of Desert Liaison.
Rock The Crown (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, outpaced, last of 8, 19 1/2l behind Whittle Le Woods (9-5) at Southwell 6f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Brazen Bow (FR) Brazen Beau filly out of River Of Silence.
Lead Story (IRE) 15-8 (8-11) Raced keenly, handy on inside, went 2nd 2f out, edged left over 1f out, no impression on winner final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Night Narcissus (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f fll stks (5) pol in Jan.