made all, shaken up 2f out, stayed on well, comfortably
mid-division, headway 3f out, switched left over 2f out, chased winner 1f out, stayed on, no impression
prominent, ridden 2f out, lost 2nd 1f out, stayed on same pace, lost 3rd close home
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, hanging right over 1f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, well beaten final 2f
held up, headway on inside over 3f out, stayed on same pace, went 3rd close home
behind, well beaten final 3f
prominent, outpaced and switched right over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
LION TOWER won one of these events over track and trip last month. He’s penalised for this but with proven form on the surface, Mark Johnston’s colt gets the vote. The more exposed Broken Rifle debuts on the Fibresand having placed on a couple of occasions last year but Viva Voce and Big Impact have the more scope with the former preferred having finished fourth at Wolverhampton on his debut. Brian Ellison’s yard is in decent form and The Mackem Rocket may be worth a second glance on his debut.
Lion Tower (IRE) 10-3 (9-5) Led, headed over 4f out, led again over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Southwell 6f stks (5) pol in Jan beating Sur Mer (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Big Impact 25-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Brad The Brief (9-5) at Bath 5f mdn stks (5) gd in Aug.
Broken Rifle 7-1 (9-7) Dwelt, keen, tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Maysong (9-5) at Kempton 7f (5) pol in Dec.
El Agronomo Fast Company gelding out of Deslaya.
Mercurist 100-1 (9-2) Mid-division, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Ivatheengine (9-6) at Kempton 6f stks (5) pol in Dec.
Viva Voce (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Outpaced in rear, shaken up and kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Triple Spear (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Helmet House 33-1 (8-7) Outpaced, last of 5, 8 1/4l behind Youneverletmedown (8-7) at Newcastle 5f stks (5) pol in Jan.
The Mackem Rocket (IRE) Dandy Man filly out of Alice Girl.