very slowly away and lost all of 6 lengths, always in rear
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, chased winner briefly over 1f out, weakend final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3f out until over 1f out, soon weakened
raced wide, held up, ridden and weakened 2f out
led 2f, chased winner until 3f out, soon weakened
broke well, soon in rear, kept on final furlong, never a factor
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, soon chased winner, no impression final furlong
prominent, led after 2f , about 4 lengths clear over 2f out, ridden out
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
The tactically versatile TRANS SONIC just about looks the call here ahead of old rival Mozayada and standing dish General Tufto. Our seven-year-old selection has put together a really solid run of late, culminating in back-to-back successes over course and distance. The last of them came over the reopposing Mozayada, who gets a nice turnaround at the weights, but the feeling is Trans Sonic is worth sticking with whilst in such terrific heart. There's no denying though that Mozayada has become well-treated, as his last win here came off 77 and today he races off just 74. That said, his best efforts have come when afforded a soft lead and with that doubtful he's worth opposing today. General Tufto is difficult to fathom as he does appear to have ideal conditions and remain well enough handicapped, but that was the case last week when he took an age to get going here. The horse did plug on well for a never-nearer fourth but he's now 2lbs higher as the handicapper has had the chance to reassess and we'll reluctantly take him on for that reason. Daaweitza hasn't won at a distance short of 1m2f for almost two years and looks short of pace these days, so of more interest each way are Exit Smiling and Bolodenka. The last-named ran well in a decent claimer last time but has to prove he's up to this mark, whilst Exit Smiling is a course winner with an absence to overcome. The market will tell us more about their chances, but without that guide will stick with the hat-trick seeking Trans Sonic.
Smarty Socks (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 11th of 13, 19l behind Foolin Myself (9-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-90 (3) fbs in Aug.
Mangham (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Led until over 6f out, weakened over 4f out, virtually pulled up final 2f, bled from the nose, last of 13, well behind Hurricane Spirit (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Exit Smiling 11-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 5l behind Faithful Ruler (9-4) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Bolodenka (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Tracked winner, ridden approaching 1f out, kept on and no impression on winner, last of 2, 2 1/2l behind Soccerjackpot (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (5) pol in Jan.
Avertis 6-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 9th of 10, 34l behind Ours (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
General Tufto 6-4fav (9-2) Broke well, soon taken back to race 6 lengths off the pack, improved to join the field in last place 4f out, ridden 3f out, never on terms, given too much to do, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Border Owl (8-6) at Southwell 1m app hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Xpres Maite 11-1 (9-2) Went slightly right start, mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 9l behind Plush (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol in Feb.
Trans Sonic 4-1fav (7-13) Slight lead until narrowly headed 3f out, led again 2f out, narrowly headed 1f out, rallied gamely to regain lead final 100 yards, won going away, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Feb beating Mozayada (8-7) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Mozayada (USA) 11-1 (8-7) Prominent, chased leading pair 3f out, challenged 2f out, led narrowly 1f out, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Trans Sonic (7-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Feb.
Bennelong 6-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Gallantry (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Kidlat 25-1 (9-3) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 14, 16l behind Poyle Meg (8-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Daaweitza 11-4 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, headway well over 1f out, never trouble leaders, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Profit's Reality (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
