pressed leader until well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra close home
chased leaders, led over 1f out, stayed on, headed post
took keen hold, tracked leaders on inside, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
last to break, held up in rear, effort on outside over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, stayed on, led post
Four of the six are course and distance winners while International Law has twice won over slightly shorter on the track though is 3lb out of the handicap. Masham Star has finished last in his three latest starts though was in good form in much better company in the spring. Michele Strogoff won three times over the track and trip last winter but suffered in the weights accordingly and has been beaten off this mark the last twice. STORM AHEAD was having only his second start here when gaining a surprise victory in a better race than this last month. He has a 5lb rise to contend with but has won from higher marks in the past so gets the nod. The Throstles completed a course and distance hat-trick in the summer of last year and also won at Newbury in July so looks a threat while Keswick is 1lb lower than when gaining his last victory on this track a year ago.
Masham Star (IRE) 28-1 (9-9) Chased leaders near side of group, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened quickly, behind and eased, tailed off, last of 15, dist behind Molls Memory (9-7) at Newbury 7f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Michele Strogoff 6-1 (8-13) Taken to post early, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, , weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 5 3/4l behind Universal Gleam (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Storm Ahead (IRE) 28-1 (8-8) Held up, headway when switched left approaching final furlong, edged right and led inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Nov beating Furzig (9-8) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
The Throstles 8-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Blue Medici (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Keswick 25-1 (9-6) Held up in mid-division, headway over 1f out, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Wimpole Hall (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
International Law 9-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on well, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Stormbomber (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Oct.