pulled hard, in touch, ridden and no headway final furlong
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, slightly hampered well over 1f out, kept on same pace
made all, ridden over 1f out, edged slightly left, ran on well
held up, ridden over 1f out, never going pace to trouble leaders
chased winner, ridden and hung both ways from well over 1f out, no impression final furlong, rider dropped reins towards finish
held up, not clear run and switched right 3f out, short lived effort on outside over 2f out
Nonrunner
Fathsta is shortlisted to go well here with both Upper Class and Only A Game worth noting in the betting market also. The selection has shot up in the weights this winter after winning three times and most recently over course and distance. He seems to handle different conditions and even though the races off a personal high mark he looks to be still improving so could be one step ahead of the handicapper. Upper Class was a faller on his only run over jumps for Andrew Turnell but was seen to good effect when changing tacts to the level when scoring over six furlongs at Ripon for Mark Johnston eighteen months ago. He has not been seen since so injury must have occurred somewhere long the way. He does remain with an in form yard so any market moves should be noted. Only A Game is another to be shortlisted here with a live chance having been in in winning form at Southwell last month. For that he races off a five pound higher mark which will make life tougher from now on but having said that in seven career outings he has only been out of the first two once so is very much a consistent and reliable type. But for the winner we will give the tentative vote to Fathsta.
Fathsta (IRE) 7-4 (9-1) Always prominent, raced keenly, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Grand Fleet (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sparton Duke (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Jan beating Salt of The Earth (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Cross Fell (USA) 4-1 (8-13) In touch, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 7l behind Geezers Colours (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Upper Class (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on final furlong, won at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Jun beating Our Sunnie (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Only A Game (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, hung right over 1f out, kept on, won at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Jan beating Diademas (8-1) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Helping Hand (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) With leader, led 4f out, driven out, won at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Jan beating Kirkie (8-11) by a nk, 8 ran.
Ten Pole Tudor 7-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 9l behind Fathsta (8-8) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (5) pol in Dec.
