held up behind leaders, driven to lead approaching final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, outpaced after 1f, soon driven along, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders
in touch, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
led, headed over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
In the opener, Matuza just gets the call over Smooch, with Glenviews Youngone looking best of the rest. A half-brother to Resplendent Glory, Matuza's debut win at Lingfield seemed to come as something of a surprise, but he won well enough. Surely, he can only improve and he looks the one to beat today. Smooch did not disgrace himself in Group and Listed races on Turf in the autumn and is very much respected, but Glenviews Youngone's Wolverhampton maiden win was probably only modest. The others are hard to fancy and, in what looks a two-horse race, Matuza just gets the nod.
Matuza (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Took keen hold, in touch, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong to lead final 40 yards, won at Lingfield 6f nov stk (5) pol in Nov beating Perfect Treasure (8-7) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Smooch 33-1 (8-4) Raced stands side, chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 26th of 30, 12l behind Murfreesboro (8-13) at Newmarket 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Sept.
Glenviews Youngone (IRE) 4-1 (8-6) Made all, clear over 1f out, ridden out, won at W'hampton 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) pol in Nov beating Canina (8-6) by 1l, 10 ran.
Balfour House Wizard King gelding out of winning sprinter Tymeera.
Eeshee 100-1 (8-3) Held up in touch, ridden well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 11l behind Antica (8-0) at Warwick 6f 2yo mdn aut (7) gd in Oct.
No Inkling (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Carried left and bumped start, mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 9l behind Prettilini (8-0) at W'hampton 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) pol.
Charming Princess Primo Valentino filly out of a once-raced mare.