tracked leader early, close up behind front pair, went 2nd again going well over 2f out, led inside final furlong, not extended
soon tracking leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
held up in touch in last, ridden over 2f out, went 3rd and hung left over 1f out, one pace
BIG BAZ made a winning debut at Lingfield recently. Willie Muir's charge gets the vote to follow up on his handicap debut with most of the opposition looking pretty exposed. That includes recent 7f course winner Tartan Trip, who was scoring for the first time since 2010 and has been raised 11lb for his trouble. Aqua Ardens continues to find at least one too good but Canon Law may have improved since last seen finishing third at Lingfield back in September and rates a danger. Hilali ended last season out of sorts, though the Kempton winner is now back on a winning mark.
Big Baz (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Dwelt mid-division, headway approaching final furlong, quickened to soon lead, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Gambol (9-5) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Hilali (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 14, 19l behind Investment Expert (9-0) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct.
Canon Law (IRE) 7-2fav (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Big Whiskey (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sep.
Tartan Trip 7-2 (9-7) Dwelt in rear, headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Sweet Vintage (9-2) by 5l, 10 ran.
Aqua Ardens (GER) 4-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind The Tichborne (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
