tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9f out, pushed along and every chance 2f out, weakened final 100 yards, 4th and held when eased towards finish
held up off the pace and always towards rear
led over 1f, tracked leader until 9f out, handy 3rd, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on gamely and always doing enough
held up in mid-division, headway into 4th 9f out, good headway out wide inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, always held
slowly into stride, held up off the pace in last pair, kept on inside final furlong, never involved
pulled hard early, tracked leader 1f, tracked leading trio until settled mid-division 9f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, carried head high under pressure and stayed on inside final furlong, always held
pulled hard and prominent, led over 10f out and still pulling in front, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
awkwardly away, always rear-division
A new combination of headgear and the step up to today’s trip brought an improved effort from TOM COLLINS (NAP) at Wolverhampton. Back on a winning mark with the Haggas yard in fine form, he’s taken to confirm latest running with Charlie Arthur and gets the vote. Johnny Boom was winning over 1m2f on Turf last year but has something to prove over this far as do several of the remainder including both Mutaraafeq and Sagauter.
Tom Collins 7-1 (9-10) Held up rear of mid-division, driven and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 4th close home, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Trevolli (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Iconic Belle 66-1 (9-12) Slowly away, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 10, 10 1/4l behind Justified (9-1) at Ripon 1m 6f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Charlie Arthur (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Disputed lead early, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Trevolli (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Sagauteur (FR) 9-2 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Lopes Dancer (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Nudged along leaving stalls, close up early, restrained to chase leaders 8f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 6, 8 1/4l behind Can Can Girl (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Kells (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 9, 25 1/4l behind Desert Emperor (10-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Soaring Star (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Towards rear, smooth headway before pushed after 2f out, every chance when ridden entering final furlong, unable to quicken but kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Onesmoothoperator (9-10) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Mutaraafeq (IRE) 9-4 (9-7) Keen led, pushed along and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Johnny Boom (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in last trio on outside, closed 4th, not fluent next, beaten when hit 2 out, soon pecked and weakened, last of 6, 20 3/4l behind Too Friendly (11-3) at Newcastle 2m (2) gs in Nov.
