slowly into stride, mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, never dangerous
chased leaders, under pressure halfway, soon lost place
always prominent, every chance over 2f out, led over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, ran on
slowly into stride, soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
outpaced in rear, never dangerous
tracked leader, outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, stayed on well
led 1f, chased leaders, effort over 1f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, never on terms
held up, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, outpaced halfway, soon beaten
chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, short of room inside final furlong, no extra
Tagur is 1-21 and has never scored on the all-weather and has been beaten off lower marks in the past. The veteran Meandmyshadow has won 16 races in all, including by a short-head from Big Amigo over the course and distance earlier this month. Both have been beaten subsequently but there should be little between them again. BREAKING FREE won over a mile here last month and over this trip at Wolverhampton earlier this month. He still looks low enough in the weights to win again and he's better drawn than Best Tamayuz, whose consistency on the track was rewarded with a recent victory. Jack Blane's victories have come at Wolverhampton but he ran well enough behind Sir Geoffrey here a week ago to be in the mix.
French 15-2 (9-13) Mid-division on outside, ridden 2f out, soon struggling, 10th of 13, 8 1/2l behind Sir Geoffrey (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Tagur (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Held up behind, headway over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Dandy Bird (9-5) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Meandmyshadow 9-1 (9-4) Chased leading pair, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Spun Gold (9-9) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Essential 13-2 (8-12) Led 1f, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Pearl Nation (9-12) at Southwell 1m stks (6) pol in Jan.
Justice Pleasing 8-1 (9-7) Led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Joyful Star (8-9) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Big Amigo (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Slowly away in rear, ridden 3f out, edged left and headway over 1f out, nearest finish, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Best Tamayuz (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Best Tamayuz 4-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, driven and ran on to lead close home, won at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Swot (9-4) by hd, 13 ran.
Jack Blane 10-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on in 3rd inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Sir Geoffrey (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Seaview 7-1 (9-3) Disputed lead until ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Best Tamayuz (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Breaking Free 3-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, driven 2f out, headway to lead narrowly over 1f out, ridden and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, just held on, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Tasaaboq (9-3) by nk, 12 ran.
Beau Strata (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Steadied start, took keen hold, held up, pushed along 3f out, soon lost touch, 6th of 7, 15 1/2l behind Peak Princess (9-0) at Beverley 7f mdn fll stks (4) gd in Aug.
Bingo George (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 14 1/2l behind Spare Parts (9-10) at Kempton 7f hcp (7) pol in Jan.
