chased leaders, driven and outpaced 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, outpaced 3f out, never on terms
held up on outside, headway 3f out, ridden and effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, weakened and eased 1f out
dwelt, soon in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to lead towards finish
behind, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish
with leader, led 3f out to over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong
Caprio has run well here before but his new mark looks tough and instead preference is for PROHIBITION. The William Haggas-trained colt is unexposed and may be a class above this level. He was poor at Wolverhampton when backed off the boards, however this heavy ground winner may be more at home on this slower surface and he is given another chance. Tamasou is holding his form well since a Catterick win in November for this jockey, Jonnie Skull runs this track well but is creeping up the weights while Elusive Fame has become disappointing. He (and Tamasou) are strictly held by Hits Only Jude on their run behind Snow Bay, whilst Follow The Flag drops markedly in trip but any market support would look interesting, despite being unfancied for his best recent efforts. Dig Deep is another to consider after a bold bid behind Great Charm when last seen here.
Caprio (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Held up well in rear, wide into straight and still plenty to do 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov beating Inheritor (8-9) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Prohibition (IRE) 4-6fav (9-4) Keen, held up, in touch, improved to track leaders 3f out, ridden 2f out, no response and soon weakened, last of 7, 11l behind Iron Out (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Tamasou (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) With leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Snow Bay (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Hits Only Jude (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Snow Bay (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to go 3rd 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Mildoura (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Dig Deep (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Dwelt, mid-division, ridden and headway entering final 2f, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression close home, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Great Charm (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Elusive Fame (USA) 11-2 (9-1) Pressed leader, led over 6f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Ours (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, led 3f out, soon ridden, pressed from over 1f out, driven and headed narrowly well inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, nk behind Hit The Switch (8-9) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.