led, ridden along over 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, no extra final furlong
prominent, ridden along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
held up behind leaders, ridden over 3f out, led over 1f out, driven out final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, staying on towards finish but never reached challenging position
mid-division, effort over 3f out, soon beaten
never better than mid-division
Young Scotton gets the nod over Red Wine and Winter Cruise, while Amwell Brave is also respected but his habit of finding a few more determined in a finish tempers the confidence for win only purposes. Winter Cruise won a modest handicap at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start but was well held in a similar race to this at Kempton last month. He still has scope for improvement and would not be without a chance if he bounces back to form today. Red Wine usually travels strongly in his races and it is surely a matter of time before he gets some luck in running. He is attractively weighted and support in the betting market would be interesting. However, Young Scotton is holding his form really well just now and, as he is a reliable battler, his proven stamina and determination combine to swing the vote in his favour.
Kanisorn (SWE) 4-6fav (9-5) Keen, tracked leaders, led 5f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Maria Antonia (8-9) at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs in Jan.
Red Wine 13-2 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on, not reached leaders, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Josr's Magic (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Young Scotton 11-4fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, took closer order 8f out, led over 2f out, fading when headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Opera Writer (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Zed Candy (FR) 16-1 (9-7) Took keen hold in touch, ridden 3f out, not much room over 2f out, one pace over 1f out, 6th of 13, 9l behind Fresh Mint (8-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Exit to Luck (GER) 11-1 (9-10) Led, headed over 6f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 5, 14l behind Clear Reef (9-9) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
Amwell Brave 8-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on close home, not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Mixing (8-9) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Simple Jim (FR) 20-1 (9-3) Led, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 10l behind Justcallmehandsome (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Winter Cruise (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leader, pressed leader 3f out, ridden and weakened inside final 2f, 10th of 11, 10l behind Little Richard (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Istead Rise (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up last, well in rear over 3f out, headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 7, 6l behind Classic Blue (8-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (6) pol.
Speed Dial Harry (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, 5th of 14, 17l behind Cragganmore Creek (11-0) at Southwell 1m 3f amt hcp (6) fbs.
