held up in touch, smooth headway over 2f out, led on bit entering final 2f, soon clear, won in a canter
in rear, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leader, ridden and outpaced 3f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
keen in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
soon led, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened and lost 2nd inside final furlong
close up, ridden halfway, weakened well over 2f out
Nonrunner
Medici Code and Sophie's Dream dominate this race, with the others in this small field appearing to hold little chance. Second in a seller over the course and distance, Sophie's Dream stepped up on that effort when landing a Kempton claimer over a mile last time. He had previously been well beaten in handicaps but he will have had his confidence boosted by that success and can make a race of it. Medici Code has won in fine style both here and at Wolverhampton in his last two starts in similar contests, and it is hard to see a six pound penalty stopping him here. He is clearly progressive and this should be no more than an exercise canter. Medici Code can prove too strong for his opponents.
Medici Code 1-5fav (9-8) Held up in touch, headway 2f out, led on bit approaching final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jan beating My Mirasol (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Sophie's Dream 13-2 (8-8) Held up, headway 2f out, led approaching final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 3yo clm (6) pol in Jan beating Straight Face (9-7) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Briarwood Bear 33-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 12l behind Tilapia (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Mr Chocolate Drop (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Led until ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 19l behind Medici Code (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
Silver Hotspur 25-1 (8-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 9, 8l behind Para Siempre (9-3) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Jan.
Stars Above 11-4fav (8-0) Ridden to lead over 6f out, headed over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind My Mirasol (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo clm (6) pol in Dec.
Roca Redonda (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Started slowly, always towards rear, never a factor, last of 11, 23l behind Noojoom (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn (5) pol in Jan.