tracked leaders, led 2f out, driven out
raced wide towards rear, outpaced over 5f out, ridden and some headway 3f out, never on terms
close up, pushed along 3f out, headway to chase winner inside final furlong, ridden and flashed tail towards finish
keen led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
led 1f, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
outpaced and behind, ridden over 3f out, very wide into straight 3f out, tailed home
Vivat Rex won this last year and it would be no surprise if Conor Dore’s unreliable charge posted one of his better efforts while Tatlisu can figure if handling the surface having beaten Athassel when winning a claimer at Wolverhampton. PEARL NATION failed to land the odds in a seller here on his first start back from a lay-off but should be sharper today having subsequently run in a handicap and he gets the nod. Essential and Maraakib have a stack to find on these terms and look up against it.
Pearl Nation (USA) 14-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, 7th of 9, 7 1/2l behind Captain Lars (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Athassel 11-2 (9-6) Slowly into stride, behind, ran on final 100 yards, never on terms, 6th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Rouge Nuage (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Tatlisu (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden and headway 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, stayed on to lead close home, won at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Dec beating Unforgiving Minute (10-0) by nk, 10 ran.
Maraakib (IRE) 15-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Lean On Pete (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Essential 10-1 (9-3) Mid-division, hard ridden and effort over 1f out, hung left and beaten entering final furlong, 6th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Samphire Coast (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Vivat Rex (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Held up in touch in last, ridden over 3f out, soon edged right and lost touch, last of 4, dist behind Throckley (9-5) at Southwell 1m 3f stks (6) pol in Dec.