led, hard ridden when headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, driven to lead over 2f out, hard pressed from over 2f out, headed post
slowly into stride, always behind
tracked leaders, every chance over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
slowly into stride, in touch, effort when hung left from over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, headway over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, kept on under pressure to lead post
raced wide towards rear, never nearer
LEXI'S HERO finished a couple of lengths ahead of Burnhope when runner-up over track and trip last time. This looks no tougher so Richard Fahey's charge gets the nod. Alpha Tauri landed a claimer here in between a couple of woeful efforts and is too unreliable to have much confidence in while Maakirr remains winless having gone close again in a maiden race over course and distance last week. Cadeaux Pearl and Amenable have both made the frame here recently and either of that pair could pop up having slipped down the weights of late.
Majestic Manannan (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Powerful Wind (9-6) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Lexi's Hero (IRE) 11-4fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on well, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Mappin Time (9-0) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Oil Strike 25-1 (8-13) Pulled hard tracking leaders, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 12l behind Mappin Time (9-0) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Colourbearer (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Held up in last pair, pushed along over 2f out, plugged on final furlong, never a threat, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Bapak Bangsawan (9-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Burnhope 5-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Mappin Time (9-0) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Cadeaux Pearl 5-4fav (9-0) Went right start, chased leaders, outpaced halfway, soon beaten, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Quality Art (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec.
Maakirr (IRE) 7-4 (9-2) Dwelt, soon in touch, headway to press winner entering final 3f, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, headed and no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Go Far (9-5) at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.
Amenable (IRE) 7-2fav (9-6) Behind, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never reached leaders, 5th of 10, 5l behind Fathom Five (9-0) at Southwell 6f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Nov.
Guishan 5-1 (9-6) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 9l behind Izzy Boy (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Alpha Tauri (USA) 5-2 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 20l behind Pravda Street (9-8) at Southwell 1m sell stks (6) fbs in Dec.