tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, all out, just held on
always behind
always prominent, led over 2f out, soon strongly challenged, headed inside final furlong, rallied close home, just failed
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, mid-division, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never on terms
mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
outpaced towards rear, never on terms
hampered soon after start, always in rear
CUSTARD THE DRAGON (NAP) was caught right on the line by Severus over this trip at Wolverhampton earlier this month in a slightly better race than this. He makes his debut on the track but should be good enough to go one better. Trust Me Boy has won three races in his career, all over this course and distance at this level, but Best Tamayuz is better over further. Mrs Biggs has her first start on the surface though hasn't been running badly on Tapeta while Cascading Stars ran well enough at Kempton last time though a strike-rate of 1-32 tells its own story. Secret Lightning generally runs over further but has a good record when tackling this trip so is one to keep on the right side.
Custard The Dragon 11-1 (8-9) Chased clear leading pair, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Severus (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Trust Me Boy 12-1 (8-7) Raced under stands side rail, held up, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Stoked (9-6) at Yarmouth 7f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Unnoticed 11-1 (9-6) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Cliff (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Cascading Stars (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Medicean El Diablo (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Spryt (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Billyoakes (9-6) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Best Tamayuz 13-2 (8-10) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Anton Chigurh (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Mrs Biggs 15-2 (9-3) Led narrowly, headed 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 5l behind Star of Spring (9-7) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Men United (FR) 12-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, never near leaders, 8th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Poppy In The Wind (9-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Secret Lightning (FR) 20-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 13th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Synodic (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Fearless Poppy 66-1 (8-5) Soon tracking leader, led 6f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 14, 20 1/4l behind Makhfar (8-12) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.