raced wide close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
close up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd towards finish
rider removed hood very late and lost all chance, always behind
tracked leader, ridden to lead when edged right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong
close up, pushed along halfway, soon outpaced
tracked leader, effort over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
THE GREAT WALL only won a weak maiden over track and trip last week but Mick Appleby’s charge could not have done it any easier and is taken to defy a penalty. Bold Spirit has been in good form here and went close again last time having scored over course and distance earlier while Lady Perignon was placed in a tougher handicap at the track in October. Zaeem only won a seller here last time but Captain Lars finished well ahead of Letmestopyouthere when successful over 6f on his penultimate start.
Captain Lars (SAF) 15-8fav (9-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, effort approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Foolaad (9-12) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
The Great Wall (USA) 2-5fav (9-5) Made all, clear over 2f out, never out of a canter, won at Southwell 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Riverside Bridge (9-5) by 19l, 6 ran.
Lady Perignon 6-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 3/4l behind Favourite Royal (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp fll (4) pol in Nov.
Bouclier (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Outpaced, last of 11, 12 1/2l behind Hammer Gun (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Letmestopyouthere (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Switched right soon after start, in rear, headway towards stand side from 2f out, kept on, never on terms, 5th of 9, 4l behind Captain Lars (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Bold Spirit 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, headway over 1f out, ridden and hung left to join winner inside final furlong, led narrowly, headed close home, 2nd of 6, shd behind Queens Royale (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Zaeem 7-4 (9-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led 3f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 7f stks (6) pol in Dec beating Pearl Nation (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.