mid-division on outside, headway halfway, tracking leaders 8f out, went 2nd over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, no chance with easy winner
took keen hold, pressed leader, led 5f out, came clear final 2f, easily
took keen hold tracking leaders, went 2nd 4f out until over 3f out, driven along and edged left 2f out, weakened into 5th over 1f out
always in rear, tailed off and pulled up in home straight
took keen hold, tracked leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, rallied into 3rd when edged right and bumped inside final 2f, one pace
always towards rear, never on terms, behind and eased over 2f out
mid-division on inside, weakened over 6f out, soon lost touch, tailed off
led until 5f out, chased winner until over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up last pair, steady headway into 6th over 4f out, ridden 2f out, plugged on into 4th over 1f out
Dueling Banjos won at Worcester in October but was well beaten under a penalty at Chepstow in December. King Kayf only found one too good at Newbury last month but you'd expect Chic Theatre, who finished last, to get closer here with that run under his belt. Red Devil Star has his sights lowered and Dashul has claims on his second at Bangor but it's interesting that Richard Johnson has stayed at the track to ride UP THE JUNCTION. Tim Vaughan's newcomer is a half-brother to a winning bumper as well as the useful Poet, who won in Listed company on the Flat and also scored over hurdles. The New Approach gelding gets a tentative vote.
Dueling Banjos 4-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway chasing leaders 10f out, pushed along 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 5th of 8, 33l behind Thunder And Rain (10-9) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
Chic Theatre (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, never a factor, weakened 3f out, last of 6, well behind West Approach (11-5) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) hvy in Jan.
King Kayf 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, hard pressed from over 2f out, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, hd behind West Approach (11-5) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) hvy in Jan.
Normanton (IRE) Norwich gelding out of Fly Like A Bird.
Red Devil Star (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Led until 2f out, weakened quickly, soon behind, 12th of 13, 24l behind Supasundae (11-4) at Ascot 2m Listed NH flat (1) sft in Dec.
Storm On By (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Prominent, led over 7f out, headed 4f out, weakened 3f out, 8th of 9, well behind Missile Man (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) hvy in Jan.
Born To Be Free Phoenix Reach mare out of Charlie's Angel.
Dashul (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, short of room and switched right inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind The Way It Works (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mares n h flat (5) sft in Nov.
Up The Junction New Approach gelding out of Hyabella.
Loves Destination 9-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, saddle soon slipped, switched right after 6f, ran wide and lost place 11f out, soon behind and eased, pulled up after, in a race won by Missile Man (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
