edged right soon after start, tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 1f out
made all, ridden and ran on towards finish
dwelt, tracked leaders, ridden halfway, headway to press winner just inside final furlong, soon no impression
short of room soon after start and dropped to rear, headway to chase winner over 1f out until just inside final furlong, no extra and lost 3rd near finish
dwelt, tracked winner, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on to go 3rd near finish
SHOSTAKOVICH could only manage fourth at Wolverhampton last time but he's a different animal on this surface. His previous starts over 6f here in November both resulted in victories, the last by 9-lengths, and despite the handicapper taking revenge Sylvester Kirk's charge looks the one to beat. Style And Panache handled the Fibresand surface when runner-up on his debut back in March and should figure, while Mr Optimistic won at Wolverhampton a week ago and will be thereabouts if taking to the surface.
Style And Panache (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, never back on terms after, 4th of 5, 6l behind Pitkin (7-11) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Flash City (ITY) 13-2 (9-3) Close up, ridden to chase leading pair 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 8l behind What About You (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov.
Shostakovich (IRE) 11-10fav (9-8) Raced very wide throughout, behind, hung right on bend and wide straight, stayed on inside final furlong, not able to reach leaders, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Dunmore Boy (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Mr Optimistic 9-1 (9-3) Chased leader, led well over 1f out, hung right over 1f out, ran on, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Crystallus (8-12) by 1l, 10 ran.
Instructress 16-1 (9-0) Raced wide, tracked leader until ridden 2f out, weakening when short of room over 1f out, last of 8, 14l behind Insolenceofoffice (9-9) at Kempton 5f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Irish Boy (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Tracked leading pair, ridden inside final 2f, kept on same pace, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 8l behind Whipphound (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo sell stks (6) pol in Nov.