mid-division, hampered well over 3f out, soon hampered again, lost place, behind after
pulled hard in mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, edged slightly left over 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out until ridden well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
pushed along to lead, headed well over 3f out, weakened 2f out
pulled hard, prominent, lost place on outside over 6f out, in rear after
travelled well in touch, went 2nd well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
led early, chased leader until 6f out, hampered twice on inside over 3f out, soon weakened
held up, never dangerous
slightly hampered start, held up towards rear, bumped just over 3f out, not clear run on inside when headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
held up in rear, switched right over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never nearer
held up in last, not clear run briefly just over 3f out, edged left, headway entering final furlong, never near to challenge
always prominent, went 2nd 6f out, led well over 3f out, ridden, headed inside final furlong, ran on
This field might not be the most talented of animals but together they make a competitive looking race with FORMIDABLE GUEST taken to land it over Snow Dancer and Hilbre Court The pick has been running well of late scoring twice in his last three outings. Despite that success he's up just three pounds for his last winning effort a rating that should be within his reach. Snow Dancer on the other hand may find his eight pound hike a little too much to handle after his last time out course and distance success. That said the form has been franked with the 10th placed horse going on to score and he's obviously in fine fettle. Hilbre Court will have a six pound penalty to carry and already has the burden of top weight to drag round. That said the penalty in itself won't necessarily stop him but we are yet to find out how good the form from that last time out success will be. Samurai Warrior has enough form on the polytrack to be a challenger here while Strike Force can be in the prize money if at his best but Formidable Guest looks the most likely.
Hilbre Court (USA) 6-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs beating Inside Story (8-11) by 2l, 11 ran.
Strategic Knight (USA) 33-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon ridden, always behind, 8th of 11, 22l behind Hilbre Court (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Fandango Boy 7-2 (8-11) Towards rear, headway on outer over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 14l behind Formidable Guest (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
New Beginning (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Ahlawy (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Our Kes (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Settled in rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Old Romney (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Keepsgettingbetter (IRE) 5-2 (9-3) Held up behind leaders, effort over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 7, 8l behind Focail Eile (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Jan.
Formidable Guest 10-3fav (8-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan beating Watchmaker (9-5) by a hd, 12 ran.
Spinning Ridge (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 7l behind Lopinot (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Make Amends (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Started slowly, always towards rear, never in contention, 10th of 12, 15l behind Imperial Harry (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Snow Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Always prominent, pushed along over 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, in command towards finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Agilete (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Strike Force 7-1 (10-8) Held up, wide and some headway approaching 2f out, ridden and weakened approaching 1f out, 7th of 12, 11l behind Mustajed (10-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Pelham Crescent (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, not much room and switched left over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 4th of 12, nk behind Formidable Guest (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Samurai Warrior 13-8fav (8-9) Slowly into stride, took keen hold and soon tracking leaders, led over 7f out, hard ridden final furlong, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Mix N Match (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
