tracked leaders, ridden and went 2nd over 2f out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd inside final furlong
led 1f, tracked leader, led again inside final 3f, clear 2f out, eased towards finish
slowly into stride, held up in 5th, headway into 3rd 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
led after 1f, pushed along and headed inside final 3f, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, some late headway
GIVEN CHOICE (NAP) never looked like catching the winner when runner-up over today’s trip at Chelmsford but that was a much tougher race than this. Simon Crisford’s filly gets another chance racing off the same mark in this lower grade. Winning hurdler Tidal Watch is not badly treated attempting to win on the Flat for the first time and finished in front Falcon Cliffs when fourth over 2m at Lingfield while the consistent Yasir won over 1m4f here recently and should also go well raised only 2lb. Jack Bear arrives in woeful form but sports a first-time visor having won last year’s renewal off a higher mark and is preferred to Dream Magic.
Tidal Watch (IRE) 9-4fav (9-12) Held up, pushed along and headway 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Dance To Paris (9-6) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Given Choice (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Took keen hold, prominent, led 11f out, headed over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Aircraft Carrier (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Jack Bear 14-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 21 1/4l behind Aircraft Carrier (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Falcon Cliffs (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Dwelt in rear, wide and headway approaching final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Dance To Paris (9-6) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Dream Magic (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Pushed along and struggling soon after halfway, always towards rear, 11th of 12, 19 1/2l behind Universal Command (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Yasir (USA) 4-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden to chase front pair over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, led post, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Ice Canyon (9-5) by hd, 11 ran.