pulled hard and prominent, saddle slipped forward after 1f, lost 2nd halfway, beaten and eased over 1f out, not recover
slowly into stride, held up in touch on inside, headway to 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon joined, kept on gamely under pressure and found extra in closing stages
chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 3f out
prominent, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
raced wide, outpaced and never on terms
slowly into stride, held up, headway far side over 2f out, 4th and one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, headway on outside 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, went 2nd and joined winner inside final furlong, found no extra in closing stages
led, clear halfway, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
This looks between the two at the top of the weights as both drop down in class. Maakirr scored over track and trip a week ago and should go close again despite 6lb extra, but THORPE BAY's penalty is negated by an apprentice's allowance. The latter bids for hat-trick having completed a double over 5f here last month and today's extra furlong is no problem for the dual course and distance winner. Grace Hull went close in this grade last week but Pearl Noir was well beaten in a handicap here last time having won his maiden over track and trip earlier.
Thorpe Bay 5-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec beating Powerful Wind (9-10) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Maakirr (IRE) 2-1fav (8-10) In touch, headway over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, kept on under pressure to lead post, won at Southwell 6f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs beating Lexi's Hero (9-7) by ns, 9 ran.
Baltic Prince (IRE) 10-1 (7-9) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 6, 4l behind Skytrain (9-3) at Catterick 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Caramelita 25-1 (9-2) Keen, tracked winner, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 7l behind Perfect Haven (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Mambo Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Slowly away always in rear, last of 13, 15l behind Discussiontofollow (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Ferdy (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, no impression, 10th of 12, 12l behind Eastern Dragon (8-8) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Grace Hull 7-2 (9-1) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed well inside final furlon, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Prince Of Passion (9-5) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Pearl Noir 11-4fav (9-7) With leader, hard driven halfway, weakened entering final furlong, 6th of 11, 9l behind Imjin River (8-12) at Southwell 5f app hcp (0-55) (6) fbs.