led early, tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden, edged right and headed inside final furlong, held close home
held up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pulled hard, weakened inside final furlong
Abi Scarlet's recent shock win came on the Fibresand only a fortnight after finishing last at Kempton on her debut. She's hard to call in this, while Man Of My Word has done all his all-weather racing at Southwell and is 5lb higher than December's win at that track. The handicapper has seen fit to raise GABRIAL'S BOUNTY 8lb for winning a handicap at Kempton last time and a line through one of the beaten horses gives Mick Channon's charge the beating of Chester'Slittlegem. The former looks capable of following up as Warwick maiden winner Pressure Drop hasn't raced since July.
Abi Scarlet (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Close up, went 2nd halfway, ridden and drew clear with leader from 2f out, gradually wore down leader to lead final strides, won at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) fbs in Jan beating Derivatives (8-6) by shd, 7 ran.
Gabrial's Bounty (IRE) 2-1fav (8-13) Held up in touch on inner, headway over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Just Breathe (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Man Of My Word 7-4fav (9-3) Chased winner until ridden to challenge over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Laffan (8-11) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
Pressure Drop (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Heavily restrained leaving stalls, held up in rear, headway on outside 3f out, chase leaders 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 7l behind Fanrouge (9-6) at Bath 5f 2yo hcp (5) fm in Jul.
Darnathean 11-4fav (9-7) Keen close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 7l behind Four Better (9-2) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Chester'slittlegem (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Oratorian (9-7) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.