tracked leader, led over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on
led until over 1f out, no extra closing stages
chased leaders, effort 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, staying on same pace when slightly short of room closing stages
INVITATIONAL (NAP) ended last year with a Listed victory in France and has the edge at the weights in this. Roger Varian’s filly also won a novices' race over track and trip early last year and is just preferred to Rock On Baileys. The latter won a similar conditions race at Lingfield recently and is taken to confirm running with second-placed Lucymai but Emily Goldfinch and Second Collection face stiff tasks on these terms and the latter has done all her winning over 6f so far.
Invitational (9-2) won at Fontainebleau 7f lst stks hvy in Nov beating Grace Spirit (9-2) by shd, 17 ran.
Emily Goldfinch 28-1 (9-13) Tracked winner until pushed along 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 9 1/2l behind Moonraker (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Lucymai 6-4fav (9-0) Close up in 4th, chased leading pair over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Rock On Baileys (9-0) at Lingfield 7f fll stks (3) pol in Dec.
Rock On Baileys 11-4 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 7f fll stks (3) pol in Dec beating Lucymai (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Second Collection 12-1 (9-2) Held up and behind, good late headway on outside final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Polybius (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp (3) pol in Nov.