tracked leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, plugging on in 3rd when left modest 2nd and slightly hampered last
held up, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, never on terms
tracked (clear) winner, closed 3 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened, hampered last
held up, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, plugging on but no chance when left modest 4th after the last
led and soon clear, reduced lead and hit 3 out, ridden and narrowly headed when left clear last
took keen hold, soon in touch, weakened before 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before next
raced wide, chased leaders, 2nd travelling well before 2 out, ridden into narrow lead when fell last
always well in rear, tailed off
towards rear, slightly hampered 4th, lost touch, 7th, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
tracked leading pair on inside, pushed along before 2 out, no impression leading duo, left modest 3rd and slightly hampered last
SPACE ODDITY is the only confirmed front-runner in this so Harry Fry’s Exeter winner may get his own way out in front again. He carries a penalty but Kieron Edgar’s allowance is worth 3lb and the six-year-old has a first and a second from two previous runs around this tight track. Midnight Tour drops down a grade following her fifth at Cheltenham and Sleep Easy is tried in cheekpieces after a third at Doncaster. Winning Spark beat a subsequent winner here and Forecast and Volpone Jelois try their luck in a handicap after showing up well in novice events. But a bigger danger could be Resolution Bay, who was only headed at the last when third at Ascot and has had just the two runs over timber.
Midnight Tour 11-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, no impression, weakened flat, 5th of 13, 15 3/4l behind Briery Queen (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Sleep Easy 4-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace from next, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 5 3/4l behind Unison (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Resolution Bay 6-1 (11-5) Chased clear leader, reached for 1st, closed after 4th, led soon after 3 out, joined 2 out, pressed when headed soon after last, edged right run-in, no chance with winner, just lost out in battle for 2nd, 3rd of 8, 4 3/4l behind Thomas Campbell (11-5) at Ascot 2m (3) gs in Nov.
Winning Spark (USA) 5-1 (11-9) Held up, towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, every chance from last, stayed on strongly to lead last strides, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in Dec beating Hint Of Mint (11-12) by hd, 8 ran.
Space Oddity (FR) 5-1 (10-3) Made all, clear after 3rd until next, clear again from 2 out, ridden and wandered right run-in, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Here's Herbie (11-1) by 9l, 10 ran.
Bingo D'Olivate (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Forecast 5-1 (11-4) Held up, in rear but in touch, took closer order 4 out, not fluent 3 out, effort 2 out, kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Laugharne (10-12) at Taunton 3m (4) gf in Dec.
Kublai (FR) 80-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 4th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up after 3 out, at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Give Him Time 12-1 (11-7) Pressed winner, jumped right and bumped 2nd, lost 2nd after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 14, dist behind Templier (10-7) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Volpone Jelois (FR) 7-4fav (10-7) Led, jumped right 1st, headed before 3rd, led again before 2 out, soon hard pressed, hard ridden run-in, held on gamely, won at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Dec beating Casper King (11-6) by nk, 11 ran.
