in touch, under pressure halfway, soon beaten
always prominent, driven to challenge over 2f out, hung right under pressure over 1f out, hard ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well towards finish
led 1f, remained prominent, every chance over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, never a threat
in rear when saddle slipped halfway, soon eased, pulled up over 2f out
tracked leader, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led after 1f, hard driven when challenged over 2f out, stayed on well
WESTWOOD HOE (NAP) ended last year with a double including a course and distance success in a Class 2 event. Tony Coyle's charge beat Showboating on both occasions and is preferred to Philba. The latter also bids for a hat-trick having won twice here recently in lower grade handicaps with Townsville well beaten last time while Certificate should confirm latest running at Lingfield with Al Khan as he makes his debut on the Fibresand. Mr Bossy Boots also pays his first visit to Southwell having won four times on the all-weather so far including a dead-heat for first at Kempton in October.
Al Khan (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish, 6th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Certificate (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Certificate 5-1 (9-3) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, edged right and ran on to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec beating Arnold Lane (9-1) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Westwood Hoe 6-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, in touch, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 7f hcp (2) pol in Dec beating Highland Colori (9-2) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Showboating (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Raced wide, in touch, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 3l behind Ian's Memory (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Mr Bossy Boots (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, joined post, won at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Oct beating Elemraan (8-12), 11 ran.
Townsville 20-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, pushed along and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 15 1/2l behind Philba (8-10) at Southwell 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Philba 7-2fav (8-10) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Southwell 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Shootingsta (9-1) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
