slowly into stride, behind, headway halfway, chased leaders over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, under pressure over 4f out, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 5f out, went 2nd over 2f out, kept on under pressure
chased leaders, weakened over 6f out
led until over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, eased over 2f out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders halfway, led over 3f out, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
took keen hold tracking leaders, led well over 3f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
prominent, led over 5f out, headed over 3f out, soon lost place
STAND GUARD took his tally of wins on the all-weather to 27 with last week’s victory at Kempton. John Butler’s veteran is equally effective on this surface and should make another bold bid. Hydrant went close at Wolverhampton last time and can race off the same mark today while Tred Softly was placed at Newcastle a fortnight ago and has plenty of scope for further progress. Master Of Song has done most of his winning on the Fibresand but arrives in poor form and Catherina was a long way behind the selection last time.
Hydrant 33-1 (9-10) Led, ridden over 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Kay Sera (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Stand Guard 10-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear of mid-division, headway over 2f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Graceful Lady (9-1) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Port Lairge 66-1 (8-10) Raced wide in touch, ridden and headway 3f out, no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 14, 15 1/4l behind Come Back King (9-1) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Hint Of Grey (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Mid-division, in touch 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 14, 28 1/4l behind Theatre Territory (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Catharina 20-1 (9-4) Raced keenly, tracked leader until pushed along 4f out, chased leaders, weakened quickly over 3f out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 13, dist behind Stand Guard (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Moojaned (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Keen, close up, tracked leader 4f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 12 1/4l behind Taopix (9-8) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Tred Softly (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Go George Go (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 4f stks (6) pol in Dec.
Master Of Song 13-2 (9-0) Raced wide, pressed leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 12l behind Shearian (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Nutzma 16-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Work (9-8) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (7) pol in Oct.