tracked leader, led 5f out, narrowly headed over 3f out, chased leader, ridden final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, chased winner 5f out, led over 3f out, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, headed towards finish
held up in 4th place, chased leading pair over 4f out, no impression when ridden and hung left over 2f out
took keen hold, led until 5f out, soon in rear and struggling final 3f, tailed off
If he turns up after his exertions yesterday then Ivestar is most favoured by the weights here, but he may still not be in good enough form to handle CASTLE MYTH, while Special Cuvee is much-respected. Ivestar was due to take part in a three-runner affair on Tuesday, so we don't have the benefit of that performance as we approach today's race. What we can say is that his recent run in a claimer looked little more than a pipe-opener, this drop back in trip should suit, and the first-time blinkers should help to get him very competitive. Special Cuvee was runner-up in a course and distance handicap off a mark of 55 on New Year's Day. He went on to make the frame in a claimer, though he has a bit to prove after a poor effort last time and will probably find one too good. We think that one will be Castle Myth. Brian Ellison's string is in fine form and Castle Myth stayed on strongly to win a 6f claimer here last week. He is proven over 1m 1f already, so the step back up in trip won't be an issue, and he looks capable of giving weight away and winning this seller now he is back in form. Mackintosh tries the surface for the first time and looks best of the other pair but preference is for Castle Myth.
Castle Myth (USA) 6-1 (8-4) Outpaced towards rear, headway 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, won at Southwell 6f clm stks (6) fbs beating Spin Again (9-3) by 2l, 7 ran.
Mackintosh (IRE) 11-2 (8-5) Held up, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 6l behind Grey Command (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Special Cuvee 7-2fav (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up, came wide entering straight, edged left over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 6l behind Camerooney (7-13) at Southwell 1m hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Jan.
Kneesy Earsy Nosey 50-1 (8-6) Raced stands side, mid-division, headway and hung right over 2f out, soon no impression, 10th of 15, 14l behind Darcey (9-4) at Ripon 6f app sell stks (6) gf in Aug.
Ivestar (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor, 5th of 6, 12l behind Friends Hope (8-4) at Southwell 1m 3f clm stks (5) fbs in Jan.
