went right start, in rear, pushed along halfway, ridden 2f out, never a factor
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, no threat to winner
soon clear, with leader, led over 2f out, ran on, comfortable
led and soon 4 lengths clear with winner, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
chased clear leading pair, headway to chase winner over 1f out, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish
Elusive Treat finished well clear of the disappointing Silent Queen when scoring at Newcastle and bids for a hat-trick raised a further 5lb. Tilaawah also debuts on the track having landed a double at the end of last year though Secret Handsheikh has the more recent win with last month’s convincing course and distance success. But the latter is upped in class and raised 9lb and A PINT OF BEAR (NAP) is preferred. A dual winner on the Fibresand, Scott Dixon’s charge went close in a tough Class 3 sprint at Lingfield recently and looks to be still improving on that evidence.
Tilaawah 7-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along and unable to quicken 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 4, 4 1/2l behind Rohaan (8-11) at Lingfield 6f (4) pol in Dec.
Elusive Treat 11-4 (9-3) Keen in touch, good headway far side of group chasing leaders over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden and clear when edged right inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan beating It Just Takes Time (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Secret Handsheikh 2-1fav (9-6) Made all, ridden clear approaching final furlong, won at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating River Wharfe (8-11) by 5l, 6 ran.
A Pint Of Bear (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Led early, tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 3, 3/4l behind Warrior Brave (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Silent Queen (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Slight lead, headed inside final 2f, weakened quickly over 1f out, tailed off and eased, last of 7, 32 1/2l behind Elusive Treat (9-3) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.