went left start, chased leaders, headway out wide 2f out, led over 1f out, came clear final furlong, easily
led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out,
carried right and hampered start, off the pace in last trio, pushed along out wide over 2f out, never on terms
raced keenly, tracked leader, led going well inside final 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, outpaced and no chance with winner final furlong
chased leaders on inside, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, pushed along and ran on between horses inside final furlong, never going pace to get involved
held up, pushed along over 2f out, plugged on in 3rd over 1f out, no chance with easy winner
outpaced in last pair, never a factor
OLYMPIC EAGLE has returned a losing favourite in handicaps the last twice now. But Clive Cox’ colt sets the standard back at this level and may prove too good for the less exposed types. Of those, the four-year-old Ex Gratia is conceding weight after going close at Kempton last month and Pontefract runner-up Crypto Quest is preferred despite having his first start since September. Twilight Revenge looks best of the rest with experience though the newcomer Flame Talon is related to five winners and is worth a second glance.
Ex Gratia 9-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride and green early, mid-division, closed from over 3f out, led over 1f out, headed and carried right well inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Bobby On The Beat (9-5) at Kempton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Crypto Quest (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Led, ridden well over 1f out, headed 110 yards out, kept on, no match for winner, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Eldrickjones (9-5) at Pontefract 6f mdn stks (5) gf in Sep.
Flame Talon (IRE) Profitable colt out of Caldy Dancer.
Olympic Eagle 9-4fav (9-6) Raced handy, ridden 3f out, stayed on, not pace of first three, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Poet (9-7) at Kempton 6f (5) pol in Dec.
Twilight Revenge 5-1 (9-5) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, never threatened leaders, 7th of 12, 7 1/2l behind Minesbiggerthanurs (9-5) at Kempton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Waverley Star 150-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, raced freely as pace steadied 4f out and soon lost place, pushed along and left behind under 2f out, last of 4, 9 1/2l behind Tiber Flow (9-9) at Newcastle 7f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Grand Cru Gaga 16-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened from over 1f out, last of 9, 9 1/4l behind Sadmah (9-0) at Haydock 6f fll stks (5) gf in Jun.
Lochside Lass (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 5 3/4l behind Imperial Mountain (9-9) at Lingfield 7f stks (5) pol in Dec.
