soon steadied, towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, never able to challenge
held up in touch, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden and edged left, stayed on well
tracked leader, hard driven well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up towards rear, some late headway, never on terms
soon held up in touch, lost place and hung right over 2f out
tracked leader, driven over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
always towards rear
Nonrunner
There's not a great deal to choose between Quick Release and Bawaardi on their recent running and both should go well but it may be worth siding with WUNDER STRIKE on his first visit to the track. There doesn't appear to be a great deal of pace to this race which may help Bawaardi and Wunder Strike who tend to race in touch with the pace. Jim Boyle's runner has found a new lease of life this winter and is proving difficult for the handicapper to collar. He promises to stay this far and should go close if proving as effective at this track. Bawaardi was collared close home by Quick Release over course and distance and there's not a great deal to choose between the pair at the weights although Richard Fahey has opted to use a claimer whose 5lbs swings things in his favour. Quick Release has a fine record over course and distance though and may not be done with yet whilst Nora Mae isn't ruled out with the promise of more to come over this trip but Wunder Strike can hit the target.
Quick Release (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Slowly away, held up last, pushed along and headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f Handicap (0-87) (3yo+) (4) pol in Dec beating Bawaardi (8-7) by nk, 4 ran.
Bawaardi (IRE) 10-11fav (8-7) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept narrow advantage until no extra and headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind Quick Release (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f Handicap (0-87) (3yo+) (4) pol in Dec.
Nora Mae (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden along over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 11l behind Seek The Fair Land (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Justcallmehandsome 5-2 (8-4) Led 1f, tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Quick Release (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f Handicap (0-87) (3yo+) (4) pol in Dec.
Ella Woodcock (IRE) 9-4 (9-2) Held up, mid-division, no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 11, 5l behind Desert Vision (9-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Pride of Nation (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Daniel Thomas (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app sll stks (6) pol in Dec.
Aflaam (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Behind, effort over 2f out, ridden and outpaced when edged right over 1f out, no impression, 8th of 13, 5l behind Giant Sequoia (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Forward Feline (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, effort on wide outside over 1f out, chased leader final furlong, hard ridden and ran on to join leader post, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec deadheating with Kuanyao (9-2), 12 ran.
Wunder Strike (USA) 2-1fav (8-12) Led early, chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 1m handicap (0-68) (4yo+) (6) pol beating Goodbye Cash (8-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
