led, pushed along, joined from 3f out, pressed, stayed on gamely to assert inside final furlong
took keen hold, held up in 4th, effort on outer, driven 2f out, soon no impression
keen hold, steadied rear, headway on inside rail over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd final 100 yards, no impression winner
tracked leader, upsides winner from 3f out, still every chance over 1f out until held inside final furlong, no impression, lost 2nd final 100 yards
took keen hold, tracked leaders, driven, found little under pressure inside final 2f, soon beaten
Nonrunner
Lightning Strike, Naughty By Nature and Faversham are the leading lights here in this competitive finale and the vote is given to Lightning Strike. The selection is well-regarded by his trainer and he has certainly created a favourable impression on each of his three starts to date. He won well last time at Lingfield when beating Fusili and this progressive colt looks like one to stay on the right side of. Naughty By Nature rates the main danger as he showed plenty of promise last year and he looked the type who may do better this season. If he is supported in the market then he would have to be of interest but he will need to have improved to get the better of our selection. Faversham has only had the one run but he created a favourable impression when beating Souffleur at Leicester. He is sure to benefit from that experience and as he hails from a top yard he should not be dismissed lightly. Salute The General is stepped-up in trip but he does look more exposed than the majority of these and for the winner we will return to Lightning Strike.
Linas Selection 14-1 (8-13) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Papal Bull (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Faversham 5-1 (8-7) Held up, headway over 6f out, led and hung left over 1f out, pushed out, won at Leicester 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gs beating Souffleur (8-8) by 2l, 17 ran.
Salute The General 4-11fav (8-9) Held up, smooth progress to lead over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 2yo mdn aut (6) fbs in Dec beating Crazy Bear (8-5) by 2l, 11 ran.
Tumbleweed Glory (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Stage Gift (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Naughty By Nature 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 4l behind Music Note (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Lightning Strike (GER) 2-1fav (8-10) Raced keenly, close up, led over 3f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar beating Fusili (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
