towards rear, ridden well over 1f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
quickly away, pressed leader, led well over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, hampered well over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, chased leader until ridden 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders on outside, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, switched left start, held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, unable to reach winner
held up towards rear, hampered on inside well over 2f out, headway 2f out, not clear run briefly and switched left over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead well inside final furlong
always towards rear, never a factor
slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, not clear run well over 2f out, ridden halfway, soon weakened, beaten when hung left over 1f out
took keen hold, chased leaders on inside, went 2nd 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
None of these inspire much confidence and RUSSIAN BULLET gets only a tentative vote. He finished runner-up over course and distance last time and was winning off higher marks last year. Methaaly scored over 6f here in December but hasn't figured in a couple of subsequent starts and No Mean Trick is getting no closer despite slipping down the handicap. Steel City Boy finally returned to winning ways at this track last time, however, and may figure again while Whiskey Junction could make the frame on one of his going days.
Methaaly (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Dwelt, towards rear, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, no impression, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Colourbearer (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
No Mean Trick (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Prominent, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon short of room and weakened, 6th of 9, 4l behind Cardinal (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Russian Bullet 14-1 (9-4) Raced keenly, chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, hung left and headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Secret Millionaire (9-5) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Jolly Ranch 14-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 7th of 12, 3l behind Angelo Poliziano (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Made all, ridden over 1f out, held on, won at Wolverhampton 6f Handicap (0-53) (4yo+) (6) pol in Jan beating Exkaliber (9-2) by nk, 10 ran.
Whiskey Junction 12-1 (10-7) Raced wide led, headed halfway, close up, ridden and weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 12l behind Lord Buffhead (10-13) at Wolverhampton 6f am hcp 0-55 (6) pol in Jan.
Imjin River (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Chased leaders on inside, driven 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 5th of 10, 3l behind Ivestar (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f sll hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Bailadeira 12-1 (9-2) Dwelt, soon chasing leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden inside final 2f, soon weakened, behind and eased inside final furlong, last of 9, 11l behind Pharoh Jake (9-0) at Lingfield 5f app hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Yungaburra (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden and not clearest of runs over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never a threat, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Sister Guru (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Ches Jicaro (IRE) 40-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 11l behind Iggy (8-10) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Jan.
Fantasy Fighter (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway on inside and switched left over 1f out, went 4th and one pace final furlong 150 yards, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Spellmaker (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
