mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten
in touch, hard ridden over 2f out never on terms
tracked winner, effort from over 2f out, soon one pace
made all, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on well under pressure
outpaced and behind, never dangerous
pulled hard in mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never troubled winner
in touch, lost place over 3f out
behind, headway over 1f out, never on terms
held up in touch, hard ridden over 1f out never on terms
Madison Belle should come on for her recent pipe-opener, whilst Elusive Warrior is in good form, however WHITBARROW has the beating of him and is given the nod. Despite his advancing years, the selection has been holding his form well including a win over this course and distance in December. He is worse off at the weights with a few rivals who re-oppose, however from his good draw he is likely to give it another bold bid. Elusive Warrior is a solid front-runner who has another pop at the selection and has won since, Kipchak is consistent but is looking high enough in the weights, whilst Hypnotic Gaze returns from a break and needs a market check. Premier Lad is edgding down to a nice mark, Solis is less-exposed than many and could be well-treated off a mark of 62 as he returns to action, whilst Vogarth and By Command are both handicapped to strike. A very competitive finale in which we are hapy to side with Whitbarrow.
Madison Belle 20-1 (9-2) Prominent, pulled hard, hung left over 2f out, beaten when not much room over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 7l behind Harlech Castle (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Kipchak (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Pressed leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Defector (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Whitbarrow (IRE) 17-2 (8-13) With leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Charles Parnell (8-9) at Southwell 6f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 8-11fav (9-9) Made all, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs beating Obe Gold (10-0) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Hypnotic Gaze (IRE) 11-4fav (8-5) Dwelt, held up in rear, wide and ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 13, 7l behind Vita Mia (8-8) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Premier Lad 11-2 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 13, 2l behind Charles Parnell (8-9) at Southwell 6f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Solis 5-2fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, effort to challenge leader over 1f out, hung right and no extra final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Legal Legacy (8-13) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
By Command 16-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 5l behind Satwa Gold (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
Vogarth 17-2 (8-11) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Mocha Java (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Boss Hog 10-3 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 4th of 6, 5l behind Elusive Warrior (9-9) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs.
