tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd over 5f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
raced keenly tracking leader, led over 6f out, pushed along 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up in last trio, steady headway 7f out, chased leaders going well over 4f out, challenged on outside 2f out, ridden to lead soon after, stayed on strongly
held up in 5th, headway tracking leaders 7f out, went 2nd over 5f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, weakened into 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inside, every chance 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
slowly away, held up in last pair, headway tracking leaders over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
soon well in rear, stayed on late, never nearer
led until pushed along and headed over 6f out, lost 2nd over 5f out, ridden and weakened soon after, tailed off
A poor contest but Mick Appleby trained last year’s winner and Sea Of Mystery finished third over 1m6f here last time. Scrafton won over the latter trip at Wolverhampton over a year ago while Panatos stays this longer trip but has shown no improvement for being gelded and stablemate Never A Word is preferred. IRISH MINISTER has been hurdling without success though was placed over course and distance when last on the Flat in October and a chance is taken on David Thompson’s charge racing off a slightly lower mark.
Ezanak (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) In rear, pushed along over 3f out, never on terms, 7th of 8, 20 1/2l behind Falcon Cliffs (9-10) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Scrafton 25-1 (9-7) Raced wide tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened 3f out, last of 11, 29 3/4l behind Dream Magic (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Sea Of Mystery (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, never on terms, 5th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Tynecastle Park (10-0) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Panatos (FR) 7-1 (9-9) Led and set steady pace, quickened over 3f out, pushed along and headed 3f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 21l behind Doctor Jazz (9-5) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f stks (6) pol in Dec.
Never A Word (USA) 13-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 17 1/4l behind Doctor Jazz (9-5) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f stks (6) pol in Dec.
Irish Minister (USA) 33-1 (11-11) Mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 10, dist behind Paricolor (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
General Allenby 10-1 (10-5) Reluctant to go to post, in touch, outpaced 5f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, 4th of 13, 7l behind Uncle Bernie (10-11) at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Sleepdancer (IRE) 40-1 (8-4) In touch,, pushed along 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off, dismounted, 7th of 8, dist behind Sibylline (8-8) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
