tracked leading pair, headway to lead over 4f out, clear over 2f out, stayed on well, unchallenged
with leader, lost place over 4f out, soon ridden and behind, weakened over 2f out
towadrds rear, in touch halfway, outpaced when not much room 4f out, weakened 2f out
led narrowly, headed over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway under pressure over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leaders, went 2nd 4f out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner from over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong
DONTPAYTHEFERRYMAN has won his last two starts here. Such was the ease of his latest victory, Brian Ellison's charge looks capable of following up in this lesser grade despite his penalty. Kingaroo had Yossi behind when winning here back in November but is not certain to confirm the form on worse terms while Minortransgression has a bit to prove over today's longer distance. The remaining trio all return from a lay-off and may be best watched on this occasion.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 5-2fav (8-7) Ridden leaving stalls, soon prominent, led 5f out, kicked clear from over 3f out, soon well in command, stayed on well, won at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec beating Ramora (8-10) by 14l, 10 ran.
Novestar (IRE) 50-1 (9-8) Raced keen, led for 2f, tracked leader until over 6f out, pushed along over 4f out, soon lost place, last of 12, well behind Egmarey (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Minortransgression (USA) 9-4fav (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, edged right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind El Dececy (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Kingaroo (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 16l behind Sunny Spells (8-7) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Magic Haze 8-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 13l behind Bollin Freddie (8-2) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun.
Sirdave 25-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 15, 18l behind Clare Glen (9-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Jul.
Yossi (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) In rear, ridden and headway to chase leaders 4f out, never dangerous, 4th of 12, 24l behind Kumbeshwar (10-0) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.