raced keenly tracking leader, shaken up to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed and no extra
held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
always behind
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon no impression
led, hard ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, driven and headway over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, readily
tracked leader, hard ridden well over 1f out, faded final furlong
dwelt, raced freely in rear, driven forward to chase leaders at halfway, weakened over 2f out
Plenty with a shout in this but ARCHIPELIGO wasn't stopping when scoring by over three lengths here last time and should stay this longer tip. Thecornishcowboy makes a quick reappearance after finishing third here on Friday and Oratorio's Joy went close again at Kempton last week having won over course and distance on Boxing Day when beating Final Countdown and Flying Power. Royal Battalion made the frame over track and trip last time and is another to consider now handicapping for the first time.
Flying Power 10-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, headway on outside 4f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 8l behind Oratorio's Joy (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) in Dec.
Oratorio's Joy (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Held up in 5th, headway on inside over 2f out, challenged 2f out, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace and lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Aldeburgh (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Thecornishcowboy 3-1 (9-11) Held up, headway over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on well, not quite going pace to challenge, just missed 2nd, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Chauvelin (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol.
Lean On Pete (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Keen, close up, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 7l behind Hussar Ballad (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Final Countdown 8-1 (9-3) Took keen hold tracking leaders, pushed along over 3f out, not much room well over 1f out, went 2nd over 1f out, not clear run and switched right entering final furlong, soon lost 2nd, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Oratorio's Joy (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) in Dec.
Royal Battalion 10-3 (9-5) Led, pushed along 3f out, joined 2f out, soon ridden, edged right over 1f out, soon headed, stayed on until no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Urban Castle (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) in Dec.
Archipeligo 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, driven and headway on inside over 2f out, soon went 2nd and ridden, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) in Dec beating Lynngale (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Heska (IRE) 7-4 (10-0) Slow into stride, soon close up, effort over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 6l behind Dire Straits (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) in Dec.
Raging Bear (USA) 7-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 12l behind Sweet Martoni (8-9) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft in May.