keen, tracked leaders, chased leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung, ridden out
tracked leader, led halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
led, headed halfway, tracked leaders, ridden and rallied to chase winner inside final furlong
raced wide in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
Count Montecristo has bits of form on the Fibresand without looking like winning and a chance is taken on MANS NOT TROT. Beaten over a shorter trip last time, he was in good form over today's distance before that and is only 2lb higher than when winning a handicap at Chelmsford on his penultimate start. Side Effect placed over 7f in between more modest efforts but Born To Reason has yet to threaten and Dejan makes his handicap debut having struggled in novice company so far.
Dejan 50-1 (9-2) Held up in last trio, some late minor headway, never on terms, 5th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Thaayer (9-2) at Newcastle 1m stks (5) pol in Nov.
Side Effect 7-4 (9-0) Soon led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 8, 4 3/4l behind Faraasah (9-5) at Lingfield 6f mdn stks (6) pol in Nov.
Count Montecristo (FR) 25-1 (9-2) Steadied start, held up and behind, never involved, 7th of 10, 11 3/4l behind Placebo Effect (9-4) at Newcastle 1m stks (5) pol in Nov.
Mans Not Trot (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Tamerlane (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Born To Reason (IRE) 18-1 (9-2) Held up, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 11 1/4l behind King Oswald (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.