led, ridden after last, kept on and headed towards finish
tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out
held up in touch, weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, ridden before last, kept on to lead towards finish
held up in rear, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
Black Art makes his handicap debut and came close to shedding his maiden tag over course and distance on Boxing Day. An opening mark of 112 is no more than fair, however, and he’s giving 4lb to CANNY STYLE. Kevin Ryan does well with his small team of jumpers and the five-year-old only had to be pushed out to win her maiden at Musselburgh in November. Brian Hughes keep faith with the five-times Flat winner, who has scope for further improvement. Prince Khurram has won twice here and may have been freshened up by a short break. Bulkov won here in November but didn’t far so well next time at Wetherby.
Bulkov (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Prominent, led after 4 out, headed before next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, dist behind Lisdoonvarna Lad (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Nicely Indeed (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, soon tracked leading pair, weakening when hit last(usual 2 out), 8th of 10, 31 3/4l behind Only Orsenfoolsies (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Prince Khurram 11-4 (11-12) Pressed leader, led 5th, pushed along when blundered 4 out, soon headed, weakened flat, 5th of 6, 16l behind Trust Thomas (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Black Art 11-2 (10-12) In touch in 4th place, led 4 out, ridden before last, headed last 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind The Dubai Way (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Canny Style 10-11fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon tracked leaders, ridden to press leader after 2 out when bumped, driven to lead towards finish, won at Musselburgh 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Simone (10-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Modulus 14-1 (10-9) Held up, headway to press leaders 7th, ridden and weakened 2 out (usual 3 out), last of 10, dist behind Only Orsenfoolsies (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.