slowly into stride, outpaced and always behind
led in centre, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
outpaced in last trio, never on terms
chased leaders in centre, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders near side of group, went 2nd over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led final 100 yards, cosily
off the pace in mid-division, headway near side of group chasing leaders over 1f out, kept on towards finish, never going pace to reach leaders
prominent towards far side, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed final 100 yards
outpaced in last pair, never a factor
Birkenhead returned a disappointing favourite here a couple of days ago when Dark Shot finished third. DUKE OF FIRENZE (NAP) missed that race due to travel problems but had earlier beaten both of the above as well as Samovar, Drakefell and Mulzim when scoring over course and distance. David Griffiths’ veteran looks to have every chance again on that form with the re-opposing Dark Shot perhaps the biggest danger. Alsvinder is a prolific winner elsewhere on the all-weather but debuts on the Fibresand today while Powerallied was withdrawn at the start here last month on what would have been his debut on the all-weather.
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.
Alsvinder 12-1 (8-10) Mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Nigel Nott (9-2) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Powerallied (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, soon lost place, 12th of 20, 8 1/4l behind Muscika (9-2) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Drakefell (IRE) 11-1 (8-13) Settled close to pace, effort over 2f out, under pressure soon after and kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Duke Of Firenze (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Mulzim 16-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, improved to lead 2f out, ridden over 1f out and soon headed, weakened, 8th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Duke Of Firenze (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Dark Shot 9-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Zapper Cass (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Giogiobbo 28-1 (9-7) Midfield, pulled hard 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 7 1/2l behind Tranchee (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Samovar 6-1 (8-4) Close up in leading group, pushed along over 2f out, kept on well, 4th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Duke Of Firenze (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Fair Alibi 6-1 (9-0) Prominent, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Herringswell (8-12) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Birkenhead 6-5fav (9-2) Led 2f, chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 2 1/2l behind Zapper Cass (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (3) pol in Dec.