held up, in touch, led over 2f out, edged left, ridden clear
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace
tracked leaders, lost place over 8f out
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden, headway over 5f out, soon weakened
behind, never on terms
outpaced, weakened over 7f out
led, headed over 8f out, weakened over 4f out
prominent, led over 8f out, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
held up, in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, no chance with winner
held up, ridden, weakened over 3f out
always behind
dwelt, soon driven in mid-division, headway over 6f out, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
True To Yourself should be good enough to land this weak affair, Tharua and Cotton Eyed Joe look to be the main rivals. James Given's charge was last seen in November getting well beaten over the jumps at Market Rasen. Prior to that his all-weather form had tailed off as well. However his best form came over course and distance last winter when dead-heating with All Bleevable. Anything close to that form today should be good enough in this company. Cotton Eyed Joe returned to winning ways here last time, easily beating Bulberry Hill. He has to give weight away all round here but should still take a hand in the finish. Tharua also knows where the winning post is having just got up to beat Prince Valentine at Lingfield last time. The longer trip will not be a problem and a big run can be expected. Best of the others could be hurdles winner Kerry's Blade, but True To Yourself is the one that gets our vote.
Cotton Eyed Joe (IRE) 3-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, led well over 2f out, soon ridden clear, hung left and driven out final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f (7) fbs beating Bulberry Hill (8-13) by 10l, 12 ran.
Ice And Fire 13-2 (8-13) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 7l behind Blue Hills (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f stk (7) pol in Dec.
Lough Bow (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, driven and lost place over 6f out, tailed off over 3f out, 15th of 16, well behind Amir Zaman (10-0) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (F) fbs in Oct '03.
Radiant Bride 33-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 24l behind Red Sun (10-13) at W'hampton 2m 1f amt hcp (6) pol.
True To Yourself (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Prominent, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 14, 12l behind Kentucky Bullet (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f stk (7) fbs in Oct.
Two Chimneys (USA) 11-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, driven halfway, ridden when weakening over 2f out, 11th of 12, 29l behind Preskani (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Tharua (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Always prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on and all out, won at Lingfield 1m 4f stk (7) pol in Dec beating Prince Valentine (9-0) by a hd, 13 ran.
Kerry's Blade (IRE) 100-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 19, 34l behind Leslingtaylor (8-8) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (6) gs in Sept.