held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
led, ridden when headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, kept on well
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon lost place
chased leaders, driven halfway, led over 1f out, ran on well
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, lost place halfway, rallied over 1f out, never able to challenge
always towards rear
Course regular Alpha Tauri has leading claims having gone close over 5f last month. Showtime Star pushed the higher rated Abi Scarlet all the way to the line in a claimer here last time but has been raised 10lb for his trouble. THORPE BAY has been threatening to get his head back in front and ran well again for third over track and trip on his latest start. Mike Appleby's charge gets another chance in this given the likes of George Fenton and Mambo Spirit are better at Wolverhampton and Kempton respectively.
Alpha Tauri (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden halfway, switched left and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Sleepy Blue Ocean (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Oriental Relation (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 7l behind Royal Bajan (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Dec.
Secret Witness 18-1 (8-11) Not much roon soon after start, towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, never troubled leaders, 7th of 9, 4l behind Trojan Rocket (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-90 (3) in Dec.
Naabegha 10-1 (9-7) Took keen hold and held up in rear, never on terms, 6th of 7, 6l behind Smokethatthunders (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) in Dec.
Showtime Star 7-4 (9-0) Dwelt, keen, close up, headway to chase winner over 1f out, ridden and ran on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Abi Scarlet (8-5) at Southwell 6f clm stks (6) fbs in Dec.
Thorpe Bay 9-2 (9-0) In touch in rear, wide into straight over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Razin' Hell (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
George Fenton 7-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon faded, 4th of 5, 10l behind Spitfire (8-11) at Southwell 6f sell stks (6) fbs in Apr.
Mambo Spirit (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Chased leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 20l behind Mount Hollow (9-1) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp 0-70 (5) in Nov.