in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
pushed along and outpaced, ridden over 3f out, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on one pace final furlong, lost 3rd near finish
made all, clear over 2f out, edged right and looked vunerable over 1f out, driven and ran on strongly near finish
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, outpaced, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to go 3rd near finish
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
Plenty with claims in an open sprint. Dickie Le Davoir finished just ahead of Mazovian when runner-up at Wolverhampton last week and both are previous winners over track and trip. So is Waking Warrior and he beat today's rival and subsequent Wolverhampton winner Aubrietia at the same track last month. Dual Polytrack winner Burnhope will need to step up on his earlier efforts at this course but Sound Amigo has been placed here though he hasn't raced since September. BANDSTAND saves his best for the Fibresand and Bryan Smart's dual course and distance winner gets the speculative vote as he's now back on the same mark as when victorious in last year's renewal.
Sound Amigo (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, just held for 2nd place, 3rd of 16, hd behind Escape To Glory (9-7) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Waking Warrior 6-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, some headway on inside over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 5l behind Tarooq (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan.
Sans Loi (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Raced centre, prominent, ridden when groups merged halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 27l behind Elusive Flame (8-13) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Aubrietia 8-13fav (9-11) Slowly into stride, recovered to lead after 1f, ridden over 1f out, held on, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Avonrose (8-13) by nk, 4 ran.
Bandstand 40-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, last of 12, 11l behind Profile Star (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Burnhope 10-1 (8-7) Chased leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, upsides throughout final furlong, driven to lead final strides, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan beating Profile Star (9-5) by nk, 8 ran.
Mazovian (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Holy Angel (8-8) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Dickie Le Davoir 8-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Holy Angel (8-8) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Masked Dance (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Led, headed halfway, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Lord Of The Dance (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.