mid-division on outside, pushed along 6f out, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 4f out, kept on same pace under pressure final 2f, never on terms
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong
behind, headway under pressure on inside 3f out, ridden and stayed on on far side rail from over 1f out, no impression
tracked leaders on outside, outpaced over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders on inside, chased leading pair over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on final 2f, no impression
tracked leader, led 6f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression with winner final furlong
led, headed 6f out, lost place 4f out, weakened 1f out
mid-division on inside, lost place 5f out, soon behind
PALAWI scored on his hurdling debut in October and was also the best of these on the Flat. John Quinn's four-year-old has yet to race on Fibresand but went close in soft ground at Pontefract and Haydock last season. He looks the best option in this contest. Eshtyaaq went close on his debut at Kempton but hasn't raced since last May and River Dragon could prove a bigger threat after finishing runner-up in a jumpers' bumper here recently. Cabuchon may also do better now he has a couple of runs under his belt.
Bold Warning 100-1 (9-7) Behind, headway under pressure into mid-division over 4f out, ridden and stayed on final 2f, never troubled leading trio, 4th of 11, 13l behind Stadium Of Light (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.
Bullring (FR) 66-1 (9-7) Dwelt, tracked leader after 1f, lost place 5f out, under pressure when not much room over 4f out, soon behind, 9th of 11, 24l behind Stadium Of Light (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.
Odin's Raven (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 3f out until well over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Bentley (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-55 (6) std in Dec.
River Dragon (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, took keen hold, led over 6f out, headed over 4f out, one pace and no impression on winner over 1f out, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Cloudy Spirit (10-7) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Cabuchon (GER) 3-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, well held over 1f out, 5th of 8, 10l behind Dilys Maud (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec.
Eshtyaaq 11-10fav (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace and no impression inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Lucky Breeze (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (6) gf in May.
Palawi (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders and keen, raced stands side over 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly approaching 1f out, hard ridden and pressed inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, hd behind Plan A (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Maybeme 8-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, outpaced over 4f out, some headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 18l behind Emirate Isle (9-0) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Oct.
Sweet Seville (FR) 33-1 (8-0) Led, headed 8f out, tracked leader until over 4f out, soon weakened, last of 10, well behind Lord Theo (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Truly Magnificent (USA) 14-1 (8-9) Dwelt, tracked leaders, tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on well final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Lay Claim (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.
