keen close up, pushed along and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
in touch, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong
led, pushed along and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, pushed along and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along over 1f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, pushed out, readily
in touch, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in rear, pushed along and some headway approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
dwelt, towards rear, pushed along and headway stand side over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, nearest finish
dwelt towards rear, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, nearest finish
After John finished in front of Rory when winning here in November while Phoenix Beach also scored over track and trip in the same month but finished behind SECRET ROAD at Southwell last time. The latter was beaten only a short-head on that occasion and can go one better in this. Kats Bob also finished behind the selection and The Caltonian makes more appeal.
Grant Wood (IRE) 40-1 (9-8) Midfield in centre group, pushed along over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, made no impression, 8th of 10, 6l behind Riot (10-2) at Doncaster 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Phoenix Beach (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-6) Towards rear, switched left over 1f out, ran on inside final 100 yards, unable to challenge, 6th of 12, 1/2l behind Snash (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Hour By Hour 8-1 (9-7) Led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Regal Fanfare (9-7) at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Secret Road (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-5) In touch in mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, switched right over 2f out, effort over 1f out, ran on, just held, 2nd of 12, shd behind Snash (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Kats Bob 13-2 (9-5) In touch in mid-division, switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not quite able to get on terms, 5th of 12, 1/4l behind Snash (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
The Caltonian 13-8fav (9-8) Dwelt and bumped start, mid-division on inside, headway when hampered on rail over 1f out, not clear run and switched right inside final furlong, finished fast, just failed, unlucky, 2nd of 9, shd behind Ultramarine (9-9) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Thaki (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 8l behind Billyjoh (9-8) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Wasdale 10-1 (9-2) Towards rear, driven and no impression over 2f out, 10th of 12, 8 3/4l behind Pepsi Cat (9-2) at Newcastle 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
After John 4-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, driven over 1f out, headway between horses approaching final furlong, kept on strongly when in the clear, led towards finish, cosily, won at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Lezardrieux (9-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Absolutelyflawless 25-1 (9-8) Raced wide towards rear, pulled way up to chase leaders 5f out, went 2nd over 4f out, lost 2nd and weakened quickly inside final furlong, soon behind, 8th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Ultramarine (9-9) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Sibyl Charm (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, lost place 3f out, soon behind, last of 12, dist behind Jahidin (9-9) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Rory 3-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, struggling after start, pushed along 3f out, rapid headway 1f out, kept on strongly inside final furlong, just denied, 2nd of 11, nk behind King Of The Jungle (8-12) at Newcastle 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
