keen towards rear, never a factor
in rear, ridden over 4f out, never a factor
led, ridden 4f out, headed 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden over 4f out, some headway over 1f out, never a factor
steadied start and awkwardly away, soon switched to outer, in rear, good headway over 3f out, led 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, bumped near finish, just held on
keen tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, pressed winner when hung right inside final furlong, just failed
disputed lead after 2f until over 4f out, soon ridden and lost touch
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3f out, headed 2f out, one pace final furlong
raced wide close up, pushed along 5f out, ridden 3f out, switched right over 1f out, driven and effort inside final furlong, soon one pace
Hughie Morrison has a strong hand here with both Taikoo and CAPTAIN BELLAMY. The former is 8lb higher than his last win on the Flat, however, so it's the latter that is taken to continue his good progress. He's won his last four starts on the Fibresand and had subsequent winner Storm Hawk well behind over 2m here last time. Admirable Duque should make a race of it as he, too, chases a treble having beaten The Lock Master at this track on his last couple of outings with Bedouin Bay back in fourth on the first occasion. Useful hurdler Marsh Warbler scored over 1m4f here in October but is stepping up in class off a 7lb higher mark today.
Admirable Duque (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 3f out, every chance over 1f out, hung left and led 1f out, ran on, comfortably, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs beating The Lock Master (9-5) by 4l, 11 ran.
Taikoo 9-1 (9-11) Led after 2f, clear 12f out, ridden 3f out, pressed from 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind All My Heart (9-3) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct.
Sherman McCoy 16-1 (10-0) Led, headed over 9f out, remained close up, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 9l behind High On A Hill (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
The Lock Master (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Keen close up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 8, 6l behind Chabada (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Storm Hawk (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) In rear, headway on outer 4f out, led 3f out, clear over 1f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Mediterranean Sea (9-10) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Boss's Destination 9-2fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 31l behind Taikoo (9-0) at Ayr 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Marsh Warbler 7-4fav (9-10) Patiently ridden in last place well off the pace, pushed along over 4f out, steady headway from over 3f out, led inside final furlong, readily, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Oct beating Amazing Blue Sky (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bedouin Bay 12-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden to go 3rd 3f out, chased leader 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Admirable Duque (9-0) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Captain Bellamy (USA) 11-4 (9-4) Raced wide tracked leaders, led over 2f out, pushed clear final furlong, readily, won at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Feb beating Blackmore (9-8) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
