led, pushed along over 1f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, headed close up, no extra
tracked leaders, effort to press leader 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
keen tracked leader, ridden and unable to quicken entering final furlong, kept on one pace
close up, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headway under stand side rail inside final furlong, ran to lead post
close up in rear, wide and headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, led close home, headed post
Dark Regard rattled up a hat-trick in the autumn with his latest victory coming on Tapeta but the extra furlong and straight course are worries here and he may find the penalised BENDY SPIRIT a tough nut to crack. Richard Fahey’s gelding came good at Lingfield last week when having the proverbial ton in hand. Ayr Harbour makes his handicap debut and is the least exposed but Jessica Harrington’s Kempton winner Bella Brazil may be a bigger threat. Winning Streak still isn’t firing.
Dark Regard 7-2fav (9-1) Chased leaders, effort on outside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, all out, won at Wolverhampton 6f (4) pol in Nov beating Apollinaire (9-4) by shd, 13 ran.
Winning Streak 15-8fav (9-3) Raced wide held up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Little Brown Trout (9-0) at Lingfield 6f (4) pol in Dec.
Bendy Spirit (IRE) 7-4fav (9-6) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, eased towards finish, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Blake's Vision (9-7) by 4l, 6 ran.
Ayr Harbour 18-1 (9-2) Keen raced wide in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Amazing News (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (5) pol in Dec.
Bella Brazil (IRE) 8-1 (8-0) Close up, pushed along halfway, switched left approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 7f (3) pol in Nov beating Baadirr (8-12) by 2l, 5 ran.