in touch, outpaced from halfway
led 1f, prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, ran on
close up, ridden and weakened entering final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish
led after 1f, ridden 2f out, headed towards finish
prominent, ridden and slightly outpaced halfway, stayed on final furlong
prominent, ridden and outpaced halfway
pushed along to chase leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
short of room soon after start and dropped to rear, never a factor
This looks between the two at the top of the weights. Even Stevens has won both starts since joining Scott Dixon and his latest defeat of today's rival Mottley Crewe over C&D suggests he's up to winning in this grade. He makes most appeal of his yard's three runners but the 2010 Ayr Silver Cup winner, COLONEL MAK, is preferred. He has a recent pipe-opener in a hot sprint at Lingfield under his belt and the minimum trip on this surface should suit David Barron's sprinter on his Fibresand debut. The remainder all have a bit to prove at this level though Cadeaux Pearl arrives in fine form after narrowly beating the re-opposing West Coast Dream and stablemate Sir Geoffrey at Kempton, while Wolverhampton winner Woolfall Sovereign can count Close To The Edge among his recent victims.
Colonel Mak 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, effort when not clear run over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 8l behind Oasis Dancer (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcap (2) pol.
Even Stevens 11-4fav (9-7) Chased leader, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on and edged left inside final furlong, held on well towards finish, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs beating Mottley Crewe (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
West Coast Dream 12-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 10, nk behind Cadeaux Pearl (8-10) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Woolfall Sovereign (IRE) 5-2fav (9-6) Held up towards rear, good headway between horses over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Tamareen (8-13) by nk, 8 ran.
Mottley Crewe 5-1 (8-11) Led, headed well over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Even Stevens (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Close To The Edge (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Red Cape (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Cadeaux Pearl 7-1 (8-10) Soon prominent, not clear run over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, held on well, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating West Coast Dream (9-5) by nk, 10 ran.
Sir Geoffrey (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, pressed leaders inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Cadeaux Pearl (8-10) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Alpha Tauri (USA) 50-1 (9-7) Chased leader, weakened over 2f out, tailed off over 1f out, last of 15, well behind Chookie Avon (9-5) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Sep.
Dancing Freddy (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Led, hard ridden when strongly challenged over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Sulis Minerva (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
