prominent, led over 7f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace
in touch, chased leaders halfway, under pressure over 3f out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, pushed clear over 1f out, very easily, eased closing stages
led until over 7f out, weakened over 5f out
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, weakened over 6f out, eased over 3f out
MEDICINE HAT (NAP) has had just six starts on the Flat and won on his all-weather debut at Wolverhampton by seven lengths. He’s clearly the one to beat if proving as effective on this surface. Goldslinger finished well ahead of Katie Gale when runner-up over 1m6f here last week but has yet to prove he stays this far, unlike Fern Owl. The latter won over today’s trip at Kempton in September and Hughie Morrison has a good strike rate here. Tarakkom has also won at Kempton but Heavensfield ran poorly attempting 2m at Newcastle last time.
Katie Gale 8-1 (9-13) Close up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 7, 7 3/4l behind Western Prince (9-2) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Medicine Hat 13-2 (9-13) Raced keenly, held up in mid-division, smooth headway on outside tracking leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, came clear final furlong, easily, won at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Hallstatt (9-12) by 7l, 12 ran.
Fern Owl 14-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 8l behind Beltor (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Goldslinger (FR) 8-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, chased winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Western Prince (9-2) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Tarakkom (FR) 12-1 (9-8) Led and set decent pace, headed 10f out, chased leader until 7f out, chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, ridden hung right and and weakened over 2f out, tailed off, last of 13, dist behind Canadian Diamond (9-10) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Heavensfield 16-1 (8-13) Keen led, clear after 2f, reduced lead 6f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 15 1/2l behind Dubawi Fifty (9-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Nov.