led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish
went right start, chased leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance until winner quickened on inside final furlong, weakened towards finish
slowly into stride, off the pace in rear, effort out wide and ran on under pressure inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, not reach winner
raced keenly chasing leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and hung left over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, came wide turning in, led inside final furlong, ran on well
off the pace in last pair, pushed along halfway, some late headway, never going pace to get involved
Lihou won this from 13lb higher back in 2021 but his only subsequent success has been on Turf in the summer. Pop Dancer initiated a hat-trick with a course and distance success in October and pulled too hard on his four-timer bid at Lingfield. BELLAGIO MAN scored at Newcastle in November and has continued to run well from his raised mark on the same track. He was a bit unfortunate when beaten a head there last week and can make amends. Yaahobby has gained both of his victories here and ran better than expected at Southwell last time.
Pop Dancer (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Chased winner, pushed along halfway, lost 2nd turning in, chased leaders, ridden inside final furlong, weakened soon after, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Harb (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Dusky Prince (IRE) 28-1 (9-5) Disputed lead, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Trusty Rusty (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Bellagio Man (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up and behind, good headway far side of group chasing leaders over 1f out, led 1f out, soon ridden and ran on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Adeb (9-2) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Double Dealing (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) In rear, never on terms, 9th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Twilight Madness (9-6) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Lihou 9-4fav (9-11) Slowly into stride and hampered start, soon recovered in mid-division on inside, headway over 1f out, ridden hung left and ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Angle Land (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Yaahobby (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) Dwelt in touch, pushed along and headway 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Twilight Madness (10-2) at Southwell 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.