slowly into stride, midfield, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, soon headed, no extra
slowly into stride, chased leaders, effort over 2f out, lost place over 1f out
behind, hung badly right and virtually unrideable, eased over 2f out
led until over 4f out, rallied over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, led over 4f out, stronggly challenged over 2f out, soon lost place
chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace
awkward start and slowly away, behind, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, led inside final furlong, ran on well
chased leaders under pressure over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, never on terms
slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous
Novalist won last year's renewal but arrives badly out of form and EXCELLING OSCAR is preferred. The three-time course winner found only Indomitable Spirit too good here during the week and has won off a higher mark before. Grey Destiny finished ahead of Amenable when that pair occupied the places behind Cadeaux Pearl here on Tuesday while Diamond Sam was a close-up fourth at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago. Invectus Hero and Blossom Mills have more scope than most as they make their Fibresand debuts but Thunderbird remains resolutely out of sorts despite having placed here on numerous occasions.
Excelling Oscar (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Close up, ridden to challenge leader when hung left over 1f out, driven and went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Indomitable Spirit (9-6) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Novalist 33-1 (9-0) Close up, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 34 3/4l behind Philba (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Invectus Hero 9-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, effort to challenge over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon lost place, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Only Ten Per Cent (9-6) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Gulland Rock 16-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, ridden and well beaten over 1f out, 9th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Mr Christopher (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Falcon's Reign (FR) 8-1 (9-3) Made most until 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Tiger's Home (8-13) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Amenable (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Cadeaux Pearl (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Grey Destiny 7-2 (9-4) In rear, headway when not clear run 2f out, rallied over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 10, nk behind Cadeaux Pearl (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Thunderbird 8-1 (9-4) Close up, pushed along over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 10th of 11, 28 1/2l behind Indomitable Spirit (9-6) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
X Raise (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Soon chasing leaders on outside, ridden and weakened from over 2f out, last of 12, 18 1/4l behind Mr Christopher (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Red Flute 66-1 (9-0) In rear, kept on final furlong, no impression, 5th of 10, 6l behind Roy's Legacy (9-3) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Blossom Mills 3-1fav (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Beauty's Forte (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Gladsome 14-1 (9-5) Mid-division, pushed along chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 5 3/4l behind Honiton Lace (9-3) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (7) pol in Dec.
She's No Bimbo 33-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Greek Islands (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Diamond Sam 6-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Beauty's Forte (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
