prominent, led 2nd, headed 4th, weakened after 5th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd after 3 out, led before next, soon clear, eased close home
jumped left, led until 2nd, stayed handy, driven after 3 out, soon beaten, weakened from next
held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, no impression after, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd last
prominent, led 4th, headed before 2 out, no impression on winner, one pace
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, 3rd nut no impression next, weakened into 4th last
held up, closed after 2nd, not fluent 4th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
held up on outside, headway after 2nd, lost place when jumped right 4th, last next, well behind after 3 out, pulled up before last
in rear, not fluent 3rd, struggling from next, well beaten before 3 out, pulled up next
Several of these arrive off the back of recent wins. Eminent Poet is unpenalised as his victory at Taunton came in a conditionals' race so he looks the pick of the bunch as Catchin Time, who carries a penalty, Taroum and the hat-trick seeking Arquebusier all step up a grade. American Life is in decent form but has been racing over 3m and isn't certain to be suited by the drop in distance. Aces Over Eights is a course and distance winner but ran poorly at Leicester last time. BISHOP WULSTAN stayed on strongly to beat Eminent Poet at Newbury last February and did a lot better back over 2m at Ffos Las. This stiff track will play to his strengths and he could be a bit of value today.
My Miss Lucy 5-1 (10-10) Always prominent, took keen hold, not fluent when led last, hard ridden, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec beating Bull And Bush (10-10) by 1l, 13 ran.
Eminent Poet 2-1fav (11-11) Tracked leader on inside, led narrowly after 6th, drew clear from 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Join The Navy (11-3) by 15l, 8 ran.
Bishop Wulstan (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Led, driven 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, ridden and no impression in 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Clyne (10-9) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Aces Over Eights (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) With leader, led 5th until pushed along and headed before 2 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 10, dist behind Bonnet's Vino (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
American Life (FR) 13-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, driven 3 out, ridden to chase front pair before next, kept on same pace, never on terms, 3rd of 5, 11 1/2l behind Howaboutnever (11-7) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Arquebusier (FR) 6-4fav (11-7) Made most, driven and hard pressed when jinked 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure when strongly challenged flat, just held on, won at Leicester 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec beating Georgieshore (11-8) by hd, 7 ran.
Catchin Time (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, challenged next, soon led, clear flat, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec beating Pret A Thou (11-12) by 8l, 11 ran.
Taroum (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Pressed leader, led before 5th, headed narrowly when mistake and left well clear 3 out, hit last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Danceintothelight (11-9) by 9l, 12 ran.
Mystery Drama 20-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, never a factor, tailed off and eased after 3 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Superciliary (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Dardanella 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leader until 2nd, led again 6th, headed after 3 out, no chance with winner next, 3rd and tired when not fluent last, 3rd of 6, 31l behind Anda De Grissay (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
