soon pushed along towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
chased leaders on outside, went 2nd over 4f out, edging left when bumped 2f out, hung left over 1f out, soon slight lead, hung left and kept narrow advantage until headed and not quicken well inside final furlong
mid-division, not much room on inside approaching halfway, weakened over 3f out
prominent, led after 2f, ridden and joined when bumped 2f out, carried left over 1f out, soon narrowly headed, pressed leader and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
held up in mid-division, headway and edged left approaching halfway, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong,
slowly into stride and not much room after start, headway and soon chasing leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced keenly, slight lead for 2f, chased leader until over 4f out, chased leaders, ridden edged left and weakened over 1f out,
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced halfway, ridden and weakened over 3f out
It's difficult to see what can prevent the veteran GENERAL TUFTO gaining his 14th track victory on his 151st start. Charles Smith's charge was beaten by Elium Mac on New Year's Day but has since reversed the form twice with the winner. With Joey Haynes' claim taken into account he's not badly treated and a hat-trick beckons. Neither Gaelic Wizard nor Novalist have proved themselves at this trip and it's no place for non-stayers while With Hindsight's best form has been over further. Falcon's Reign, who landed a Newmarket handicap just over a year ago, has been looking very one-paced in his races here but at least this is his trip and he should get into the frame. The lightly-raced Playtothewhistle showed a bit of potential on this track early last year before running moderately on Turf in the summer.
General Tufto 9-1 (9-2) Soon outpaced in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, led towards finish, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Eium Mac (8-10) by nk, 10 ran.
Playtothewhistle 16-1 (9-1) In touch, weakened well over 1f out, eased when no chance inside final furlong, last of 10, 16l behind Rangi Chase (9-1) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Falcon's Reign (FR) 5-1 (9-7) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 8, 6l behind Sooqaan (9-6) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Gaelic Wizard (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, raced wide towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 12l behind Burnhope (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec.
Novalist 8-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, reminder after 1f, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 8l behind Amenable (9-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Walta (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Slowly away, outpaced, 11th of 14, 9l behind Incomparable (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
With Hindsight (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Took keen hold tracking leaders, kept on same pace in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 6l behind Sabre Rock (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Shamiana 25-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 14l behind Sarlat (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) in Dec.
Phantom Spirit 40-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind, switched outside after 2f, outpaced over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, went modest 4th near finish, never nearer, 4th of 12, 8l behind Trust Me Boy (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-52 (6) fbs.
Hartford Starts (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, lost place when short of room 4f out, soon outpaced, behind over 3f out, last of 10, 18l behind General Tufto (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
