raced wide tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden halfway, driven and headway over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong
in rear, outpaced after 2f
in touch, headway to go 3rd halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, edged left and ran on inside final furlong
raced wide in touch, outpaced halfway, soon switched to inner, ridden and headway entering final furlong, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
slowly away in rear, pushed along 4f out, never on terms
Very First Blade was helped by an apprentice's allowance when heading SIR GEOFFREY on the line over track and trip earlier this month. The latter can take his revenge on today's revised terms and land this for last year's winning trainer. Hab Reeh has yet to win here but should be sharper for a couple of recent runs and finished ahead of Lucky Mark last time while Coiste Bodhar won over 6f here in November and the previous course and distance winner is only 2lb higher for this.
Coiste Bodhar (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Boolass (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Lucky Mark (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Awkward start and slowly into stride, pulled hard in rear but in touch, headway when saddle slipped over 2f out, soon eased, 6th of 7, 10 1/4l behind Sartori (9-5) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Insolenceofoffice (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Prominent, lost place over 2f out, 11th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Kyllach Me (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Very First Blade 12-1 (9-7) In touch, headway over 1f out, pushed along and ran on to lead final strides, won at Southwell 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Sir Geoffrey (9-5) by hd, 9 ran.
Sir Geoffrey (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Led, headed over 3f out, prominent, led again over 1f out, headed final strides, 2nd of 9, hd behind Very First Blade (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Hab Reeh 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, effort on inner over 1f out, never a threat, 4th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Sartori (9-5) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Pull The Pin (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Disputed lead with winner until ridden halfway, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 9 1/4l behind Jacob's Pillow (9-6) at Southwell 6f stks (6) pol in Jan.
Equilicious 33-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, under pressure halfway, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Fortinbrass (9-5) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.