led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra towards finish
in rear, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
dwelt, in touch, stayed on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, just held
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace
mid-division, ridden inside final furlong, one pace
pushed along mid-division, headway 2f out on inner, no extra inside final furlong
Plenty in with a chance as Ghostwing scored over 5f here last month and has won off higher marks on turf and Global Village went close again last time having landing a double over C&D in December. Upper Lambourn also scored twice here last month but is upped in class off a 5lb higher mark today, while Bandstand just got the better of today's rival Dancing Freddy over C&D before a below-par effort at Kempton on his latest start. JOE LE TAXI will need to step up on his recent efforts, but his victory over track and trip last year was the most impressive of his four wins and he gets the nod back at this track for the first time since.
Close To The Edge (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden and slightly outpaced halfway, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Woolfall Sovereign (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcap (2) fbs in Jan.
Ghostwing 5-1 (9-9) Chased leaders on inside, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after, last of 8, 9l behind Woolfall Sovereign (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Global Village (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) Broke well, chased leaders, lost place after 2f, rallied and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Tewin Wood (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Avonrose 9-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway halfway, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Andiamo Via (8-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
Bandstand 10-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, took keen hold, no impression from over 1f out, 7th of 12, 9l behind Whaileyy (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Caldercruix (USA) 7-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, led and hung left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 13, 3/4l behind Alben Star (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Upper Lambourn (IRE) 2-1 (8-9) Outpaced, switched left to centre over 4f out, headway over 1f out, pushed along and ran on to lead final 100 yards, won at Southwell 5f app clm stks 0-70 (6) fbs in Jan beating Soopacal (8-9) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Dancing Freddy (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, ran on, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Perlachy (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Punching 6-1 (9-1) Led 1f, tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Andiamo Via (8-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
Joe Le Taxi (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 3l behind An Saighdiur (9-0) at Dundalk 6f stks 0-70 pol in Jan.