slowly into stride, tracked leaders after 2f, ridden to chase winner, hung left over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
reared start, very slowly away, always behind
held up, ridden, headway, hung left over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders on outside, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
close up, chased winner halfway, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, held up, ridden 2f out, never nearer
chased winner until halfway, ridden, kept on same pace final 2f
With a doubt concerning the participation of Alan McCabe's Cerebus, who was in action yesterday, and stable companion Kabeer probably better over further a better bet looks to be Ingleby Arch. David Barron's gelding was good value for his win over course and distance when last seen in December on his first start on the Fibresand and the American dirt bred gelding is taken to defy the 7lb rise in the weights for that success. Paul Blockley's Wessex ran better here last time but is probably better over further, while Imperial Echo may need the run after a three month break. Sand Cat and Memphis Man are both consistent performers and should again be thereabouts but there should be more to come on this surface for Ingleby Arch, who gets the vote.
Kabeer 5-1 (8-1) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on well, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Jan beating Evens And Odds (9-1) by 2l, 8 ran.
Wessex (USA) 9-2 (9-4) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Neardown Beauty (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Andronikos 8-1 (8-5) Pulled hard in rear, some headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Come Out Fighting (8-8) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Bonnie Prince Blue 11-10fav (8-6) Dwelt, soon ridden and behind, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 13l behind Kabeer (8-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Jan.
Ingleby Arch (USA) 9-2 (8-13) Made all, ridden along and quickened clear over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec beating Resplendent Alpha (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Imperial Echo (USA) 12-1 (8-11) With leader far side, ridden 3f out, soon beaten, 20th of 21, 16l behind Gunfighter (8-13) at Doncaster 7f app hcp (4) gf in Nov.
Sand Cat 10-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, effort inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Neardown Beauty (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Memphis Man 2-1 (8-11) Dwelt, soon outpaced, ran on well final furlong, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Godfrey Street (9-5) at Southwell 5f 3yo clm (6) fbs in Jan.
Cool Sands (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Soon switched left after start and outpaced, stayed on over 1f out, not reached leaders, 4th of 7, 2l behind Drifting Gold (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Cerebus 6-5fav (9-4) Made all, clear over 2f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 6f fll hcp (5) fbs in Jan beating Blackmalkin (9-4) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.