with leader, hard driven halfway, weakened entering final furlong
led, pressed from halfway, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
held up towards rear, outpaced halfway, headway over 1f out, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, always behind
slowly away, well behind from halfway
prominent, effort halfway, stayed on same pace final furlong
mid-division, weakened well over 1f out
in touch, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on strongly (flag start and hand timed)
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, soon lost place
went right start and very slowly away, always tailed off
Pearl Noir attempted to make all in a classified race over 6f here a week ago. But he was caught in the closing stages and if similar tactics are employed today, he could set up the race for MAJOR MUSCARI. The latter had Lucky Mark back in sixth when scoring at Wolverhampton last time and had earlier found only one too good in a better contest over track and trip. Amis Reunis is closely matched with the selection on latest running while Errigal Lad has been placed here on a couple of occasions and could also figure. Upper Lambourn faced stiffer competition in a claimer last time and is another to consider.
Pearl Noir 7-4fav (8-7) Soon led, clear over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Borough Boy (9-0) at Southwell 6f stks 0-55 (6) fbs in Dec.
Major Muscari (IRE) 5-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, switched inside 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead inside final furlong, held on, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Hamis Al Bin (9-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Errigal Lad 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway before 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Spellmaker (9-4) at Kempton 6f app hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Lucky Mark (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) With leader, driven and lost place 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind Major Muscari (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Amis Reunis 12-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden halfway, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Sir Geoffrey (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Lord Buffhead 11-2 (9-1) Behind, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 11l behind The Dancing Lord (9-0) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Upper Lambourn (IRE) 33-1 (8-3) In touch towards rear, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Shawkantango (8-8) at Southwell 5f clm stks (6) fbs in Dec.
Lucky Mellor 33-1 (8-5) Led until over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 9l behind Thorpe Bay (9-2) at Southwell 5f app hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Imjin River (IRE) 25-1 (8-3) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Pharoh Jake (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Chateau Lola 14-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden and effort on inside over 1f out, stayed on and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 7, 2l behind My Time (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Mrs Medley 100-1 (8-10) Keen led, headed halfway, weakened 2f out, last of 6, 25l behind Go Far (9-5) at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.