stumbled start, slowly into stride, outpaced, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong
close up, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, edged right, kept on
slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders halfway, soon ridden, driven, stayed on towards finish
stumbled start, soon chased leader, ridden, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, driven to lead inside final furlong, soon edged right
led, ridden 2f out, headed, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened
mid-division, never on terms
slowly into stride, in rear, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden after 2f, never nearer
awkward on leaving stalls, slowly away, soon tailed off
always towards rear
FIGARO FLYER has a 2lb rise in the weights to deal with following a narrow defeat last time but he can shrug it off and beat Yankee Storm, Guto and Spic 'n Span in a race that looks sure to be fast and furious. Plenty of pace on here which should suit the selection. He is best coming off a strong gallop and only narrowly failed to pick up Luscivious last time out; his jockey claims a valuable 7lb off his back and this dual course and distance winner can strike again. Yankee Strom was unlucky to bump into a rejuvenated rival at the track last time and should run well, as should all-weather specialists Spic 'n Span, Godfrey Street and Megalo Maniac who drops in trip. Lithaam and The History Man are closely linked on their Nottingham clash earlier this month, whilst Guto holds Cheshire Rose and Russian Rocket on their last run but is worse off at the weights this afternoon. Market support for Shakespeare's Son would look interesting, but in a very competitive sprint it is just Figaro Flyer who edges the vote.
Godfrey Street 16-1 (8-5) In touch stands side rail, ridden and effort well over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Tony The Tap (9-8) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Figaro Flyer (IRE) 9-2 (8-5) Disputed 2nd, chased winner 3f out, driven over 1f out, closed under strong pressure inside final furlong, pressed winner to line, 2nd of 6, shd behind Luscivious (9-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Yankee Storm 3-1fav (9-10) Chased leaders, pushed along and slightly oupaced over 4f out, headway on outside 3f out, chased winner 2f out, driven over 1f out, held final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Realt Na Mara (9-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Billy Red 14-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind My Kingdom (9-6) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Guto 17-2 (8-8) In touch, pushed along and headway on outside, 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Lake Chini (8-11) by 1l, 13 ran.
Spic 'n Span 14-1 (9-2) Led, driven over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 16, 1l behind Littlemisssunshine (9-9) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Russian Rocket (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, soon ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Guto (8-8) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Shakespeare's Son 13-2 (9-2) Soon chased leaders, ridden, every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 16, 7l behind Mr Skipiton (9-6) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jul.
Lady Vivien 15-2 (8-13) Held up, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 7, 7l behind Midnight Fantasy (9-7) at Newcastle 6f fll hcp (5) gf.
Cheshire Rose 14-1 (8-13) Chased leader, ridden to lead approaching final 1f, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Guto (8-8) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Diane's Choice 15-2 (8-11) Reluctant to go behind stalls, dwelt, soon in touch on inner, driven along, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Speedy Senorita (9-1) at Beverley 5f fll hcp (5) gd.
Megalo Maniac 11-2 (8-10) Prominent, pushed along halfway, ridden when hampered over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 20l behind Kensington (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
The History Man (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Raced stand side, led that group, ridden, hung left and every chance from over 1f out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 17, 1/2l behind Lithaam (8-10) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-55 (6) gd.
Lithaam (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 16, 1 3/4l behind Littlemisssunshine (9-9) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.