tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
held up, headway 4f out, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, went 4th over 1f out, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden and lost place 4f out, weakened over 3f out
The recent return to form of MCCONNELL wasn't unexpected as he was sent off a well-backed favourite and duly obliged. First-time blinkers helped him gain his fourth C&D success and another looks likely here now he's back to his best. Avonrose won over 7f on her recent debut on Fibresand and the return to a mile is no problem while Buzz Bird will have come on for her recent reappearance. Veroon is worth noting on his debut at the track and El Dececy would have to be considered if taking his chance after running here yesterday.
McConnell (USA) 13-8fav (9-6) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov beating Eastern Hills (8-9) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Alpha Tauri (USA) 5-2fav (9-6) Tracked leader, short of room and lost a couple of places, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 17l behind Residency (8-8) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Veroon (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 9l behind All The Winds (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
General Tufto 7-1 (9-5) Behind, headway over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 8, 19l behind El Dececy (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Avonrose 7-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Southwell 7f clm stks (6) fbs in Dec beating Majuro (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Revelator (IRE) 100-1 (8-6) Raced wide tracked leader until ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 19l behind Nazreef (9-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Petomic (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Took keen hold, chased winner throughout, tried to challenge entering final furlong, no extra and held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Mr Money Maker (9-2) at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Buzz Bird 5-2fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, soon pushed along and lost place, towards rear when effort over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 13l behind Steed (8-4) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
El Dececy (USA) 9-2 (9-5) Made all, clear 3f out, ridden 2f out, unchallenged, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec beating Pool Of Knowledge (9-4) by 2l, 8 ran.