held up in touch, close up travelling strongly 3f out, eased into lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, weakened close home
chased leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
midfield, travelled strongly on outside over 2f out, rapid headway to press leader over 1f out, led entering final furlong, stayed on strongly
held up towards rear, pulled hard into midfield back straight, weakened quickly over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway between horses over 2f out, switched to far rail and ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up, ridden 3f out, plugged on past beaten horses over 1f out, no impression
prominent, ridden over 3f out, still in touch 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
in rear, headway between horses over 2f out, ridden to press leaders over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong but no chance with winner
midfield, relegated towards rear turning for home, headway between horses over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace final furlong
BROTHERLY COMPANY arrives in fine form having beat Armattiekan over fences before landing one of these events over course and distance. Sandy Thompson’s charge is taken to defy a penalty in his current form and confirm latest running with Derrick D'Anjou. The latter finished a decent third on that occasion without looking like catching the selection but Cybalko has won three of his last four starts over fences and may also figure. The veteran Nortonthorpelegend and Flaming Glory were both placed on their respective latest starts with the former rated much higher over fences.
Brotherly Company (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Chased leaders, challenged 3f out, soon led, clear inside final furlong, pushed out, comfortably, won at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan beating Wye Aye (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Aptly Put (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Mid-division, reminders and niggled along entering final circuit, lost position 6 out, ridden along 2 out, no more, 9th of 14, dist behind Speak Of The Devil (12-3) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Armattiekan (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Disputed lead, pushed along 3 out, headed 2 out, ridden before last, no extra close home, 3rd of 5, 6 3/4l behind Brotherly Company (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Cybalko (FR) 6-4fav (11-8) Pressed leader, led 3rd until 8th, in front again before 10th until not fluent 4 out, pressed leader, ridden and challenged last, soon led and stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Road Warrior (11-1) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Derrick D'Anjou (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, driven over 2f out, no impression on winner final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Brotherly Company (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Flaming Glory (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway approaching 7th, mistake 14th, led before last, driven and edged left flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Asking For Answers (11-4) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Nortonthorpelegend (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Disputed lead, headed 3rd, awkward next, pushed along to challenge 3 out, ridden after 2 out, held before last, 3rd of 9, 10l behind The Late Legend (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Sporting Press (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, went modest 4th over 1f out, no chance with leaders, lost 4th inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 23 1/4l behind Brotherly Company (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Vino's Choice (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, one pace from 2 out, 8th of 14, dist behind Raymond (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Wor Verge 7-1 (11-6) Held up in mid-division, jumped right 8th, headway 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 8, 11 3/4l behind Casimir Du Clos (10-9) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
