in touch, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
took keen hold and held up behind leaders, driven when outpaced over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
soon outpaced and never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
dwelt and soon prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and switched right 2f out, ran on to lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong
towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, driven and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Noble Edge can continue the fine recent form of trainer Paul Blockley at the expense of Twilight Avenger and Woodwee in a tight little seller over 7f. The draw can often play a vital part in the outcome of these races over this trip and Noble Edge has to overcome the widest draw of all, but the bias is not as severe as either Lingfield or Wolverhampton, as the runners tend to come up the middle in the home straight. There was much to like about the performance of Noble Edge at Wolverhampton three days ago against Ten Shun. The winner had been defeated narrowly in a better race at Lingfield and Noble Edge looked set to make a race of it with the winner until not being able to find anymore inside to final furlong. Blockley is confident the step down in distance shouldn't cause a problem and the son of Bold Edge can come late to score. Mark Polglase has struck a decent run of form and has a lively contender in Twilight Avenger, who found the 6f too sharp at Wolverhampton on her latest run. The form doesn't look as strong as it first looked - both Parazone and Sounds Simila were disappointing - but Twilight Avenger was staying on strongly behind the winner Charley's Aunt after a tardy start. A previous fourth to Super Frank (who was well-handicapped) in a 0-60 handicap over this trip at Lingfield is the barometer of his chance. Woodwee, a winner of a 6f claimer here in November, will have his supporters under Robert Winston while Musical City drops to a seller after being beaten when favourite in a claimer, but in a tricky heat Noble Edge is given the nod.
Noble Edge 7-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Ten Shun (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo sll (6) std.
Woodwee 5-1 (8-3) Always behind, 5th of 8, 7l behind The City Kid (8-1) at Southwell 6f 2yo clm (4) fbs in Dec.
Twilight Avenger (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Charley's Aunt (8-3) at W'hampton 6f 3yo clm (6) pol.
Crush On You 12-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, edged right approaching final furlong, faded, 5th of 10, 3l behind Cragganmore Creek (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn aut (7) pol in Dec.
Inaminute (IRE) 5-4fav (8-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Xpres Boy (8-7) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) fbs in Dec.
Lake Suprima (IRE) 16-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Luloah (8-7) at Southwell 5f 2yo sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Musical City 15-8fav (8-12) Led over 1f, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 6l behind My Reflection (8-7) at W'hampton 6f (7) pol.
Take No Notice (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Ridden along mid-division, in touch and ridden 3f out but soon weakened, 10th of 13, 14l behind Noble Edge (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo sll (6) pol in Dec.