raced wide prominent, led over 4f out, pushed along and headed 2f out, ridden and rallied to lead again inside final furlong, stayed on gamely
keen led 1f, tracked leaders, pushed along to lead again 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, rallied close home
led after 1f, headed over 4f out, prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide close up, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace
slowly into stride, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
slowly away, raced green and outpaced, ridden along, tailed off
THRAVE could only manage third here last week but Mick Appleby’s charge gets another chance today having beaten Defence Treaty in a handicap over track and trip before that. He should have the measure of the latter again on these terms. Al Suil Eile has something to prove over the distance having won twice over 7f here but Finoah has a chance at the weights if taking to the surface. It remains to be seen if Now Children can still run up to his official mark having failed to win since 2018 while Rock On Sweetie has shown little in a couple of bumpers and debuts under this code.
Defence Treaty (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Led, pushed along and headed 2f out, ridden and stayed on one pace final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Thrave (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Thrave 4-1 (9-11) Quickly away, switched right over 7f out to race wide, chased leaders, ridden and one pace in 3rd final 2f, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Daafr (9-10) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Finoah (IRE) 13-2 (9-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, some late progress, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 11l behind Precision Storm (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Al Suil Eile (FR) 15-2 (10-0) Held up, pushed along 3f out, never on terms, 6th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Motawaafeq (9-11) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Now Children (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, closer in mid-division on inside 4f out, headway chasing leaders over 3f out, outpaced 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Jumping Cats (11-10) at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Rock On Sweetie 40-1 (10-3) Midfield, ridden turning for home, faded over 2f out, 9th of 13, 18 1/4l behind Susie Mac (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.