tracked leaders in 4th place, pushed along 5f out, ridden and headway on outside well over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner
dwelt, soon tracked winner, ridden over 2 f out, soon no impression on winner, lost 2nd final 100 yards
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
made all, 3 lengths clear entering straight, ridden and edged left over 2f out, driven clear final furlong, unchallenged
took keen hold, in touch, headway on outside to chase leaders 7f out, ridden 4f out, weakened and behind final 3f, tailed off
took keen hold, held up, pushed along 5f out, ridden and struggling final 4f, tailed off
NAKOMA is the choice to provide Brian Ellison with further success, while Inside Story looks to be the most serious danger to her. The eight-year-old mare should get the test of stamina that she clearly relishes on this slower surface over 1m 4f. She has won at this trip and beyond, and although she has not raced on the Fibresand just yet there is every chance that she will handle conditions. The first-time eye-shield may also help, as will Brian McHugh's 5lb claim, and we will side with her. Inside Story represents another yard among the winners, that of Conor Dore, and the Rossini gelding has done plenty of winning when rated in the 60s. He is now down to as low as 50 for today's race, so there are some grounds for optimism, although there have been few chinks of light in some dark recent form. That aside, he is not guaranteed to stay this far. Piverina gets the trip alright but is moderate and has a five-month break to overcome, while Sarah's Boy would have some potential for a shock here. He has been on and off the track and connections have persevered, so after a pipe-opener if there is support he would be interesting. Tagula Minx hails from a stable going well, though you couldn't say that of her own recent form and Nakoma is the one for us.
Nakoma (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Pushed along towards rear, mid-division halfway, chased leader over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 8l behind Kickahead (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Inside Story (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 11l behind My Mate Mal (8-9) at Southwell 1m 4f sell stks (6) fbs.
Piverina (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 12, 5l behind Rosewin (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sep.
Sarah's Boy 33-1 (8-12) Led after 1f to 10f out, remained handy until ridden over 2f out and soon weakened, 12th of 13, 8l behind Playful Asset (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.
Fan Club 28-1 (8-6) Led early, chased winner, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 35l behind Phantom Serenade (8-9) at Hamilton 1m 1f app hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jul.
Tagula Minx (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Switched left start, held up and always in rear, 11th of 13, 26l behind Chosen Forever (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
