dwelt, soon in touch, headway far side of group 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, always doing enough
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
led 2f, chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader, led 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, headed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, always just held
NonRunner
Zapper Cass won over 6f at Wolverhampton recently but finished behind Dark Shot over track and trip earlier in the year. The latter found DUKE OF FIRENZE too good in the fog here last week when David Griffiths’ veteran scored on his Fibresand debut and there may be more to come from him on this surface. Birkenhead pushed the selection close last time and can figure again having beaten Thegreatestshowman when scoring here earlier but recent Wolverhampton winner Lezardrieux debuts on the Fibresand raised 3lb.
Zapper Cass (FR) 28-1 (9-7) Raced very wide early, led 5f out, went clear 4f out, ridden over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, just lasted, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Mythmaker (9-3) by nk, 9 ran.
Lezardrieux 9-4fav (9-3) Quickly away, made all, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, held on gamely, all out, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating A Sure Welcome (9-3) by shd, 9 ran.
Birkenhead 3-1fav (8-13) Smartly away and disputed lead in centre, ridden inside final 2f, led entering final furlong but soon headed, kept on, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Duke Of Firenze (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Dark Shot 12-1 (8-11) Settled just off pace, ridden 2f out, ran on well, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Duke Of Firenze (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Thegreatestshowman 11-1 (9-4) In rear, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Boom The Groom (9-2) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Duke Of Firenze 20-1 (8-10) Towards rear, switched to far side and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Birkenhead (8-13) by 1/2l, 14 ran.