pressed leaders, steadied to chase leaders after 2f, under pressure over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
pressed leaders, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, led again inside final furlong, soon challenged, headed post
in touch, headway to join leaders 6f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on well close home
outpaced in rear, soon detatched, never a factor
led, soon pressed, headed over 7f out, lost place over 5f out, rallied over 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong
pressed leaders, led over 7f out, headed over 5f out, rallied over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, led again post
Masterful Act is the clear pick at the weights and has won five times around here. This is a big drop in class but his stable has just been struggling for winners since the Turf season ended and BRASSBOUND is also quite favourably treated. Mike Appleby's stayer ran in snatches when fourth at Wolverhampton last time but that is probably still the best recent form on offer. Archie's Advice, Commissar and Bushel all have a bit to find on these terms while Sacred Square has been generally disappointing over hurdles.
Archie's Advice 8-1 (9-6) Towards rear, driven over 2f out, stayed on into mid-division inside final furlong, never near leaders, 8th of 13, 5 3/4l behind The Third Man (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Brassbound (USA) 5-1 (9-12) Close up, dropped to rear halfway, pushed along and headway on outer to track leaders 6f out, ridden 4f out, no impression final 2f, 4th of 6, 11 1/4l behind Entihaa (9-13) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Bushel (USA) 5-1 (9-13) Behind and looked reluctant until headway 5f out, went 3rd 3f out, ridden when every chance over 1f out, plugged on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Gabrial The Duke (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Sacred Square (GER) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden and every chance before last, no impression on winner flat, no extra close home, 3rd of 15, 5 1/4l behind Scoppio Del Carro (10-8) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Commissar 5-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden 3f out, effort over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 12, 7l behind Frosty Berry (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Masterful Act (USA) 40-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, headway to lead over 10f out, pushed along 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, 7th of 8, 19 1/4l behind First Mohican (9-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Dutch Garden 40-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, driven over 3f out, lost touch 2f out, last of 5, 22 1/2l behind Fallen For A Star (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Dot Dash Dot 200-1 (10-5) In rear, slow 4th, behind when pulled up next, at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.