led, soon hung right, edged left 1f out, soon headed, not quicken
held up towards rear, raced keenly, came wide entering straight, hung left and headway 1f out, never dangerous
always prominent, raced keenly, hanging right inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression
slowly into stride and slightly short of room start, soon in touch, edged left final furlong, one pace
mid-division, weakened over 1f out
in touch, went 2nd well over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on under pressure
soon pushed along, always towards rear
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
prominent over 2f
Nonrunner
The trio for the shortlist here would appear to be Tyrannosaurus Rex, THE GEESTER and Monte Major, and the vote is given to The Geester. The draw could prove to be key here and Tyrannosaurus Rex will find life tough from stall 13. In contrast, our selection has a good draw in stall 2 and he won well last time when he beat Calmdownmaite at Southwell. He chased home Whiskey Creek at the same venue prior to that, form that has worked out really well, and he looks to have rock solid claims. Monte Major chased home his stable-mate Tyrannosaurus Rex here last time and he has the plum draw, so he has to enter calculations, but his losing run now stretches back to June 2007 and he can't be backed with any confidence. Fire up The Band has gone 16 races without winning, but it is interesting that his last success did come over this course and distance, and it is the first time he has been back here to race over this trip since then. This is a tough race for punters to call and the narrow vote goes to The Geester.
Decider (USA) 7-1 (8-13) In touch, edged left and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Tyrannosaurus Rex (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Tyrannosaurus Rex (IRE) 9-2 (8-7) Always prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Monte Major (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
The Geester 4-1 (8-9) In touch, led approaching final furlong, driven out, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan beating Calmdownmate (9-4) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Teen Ager (FR) 33-1 (8-12) Led early, stayed close up, ridden and effort over 1f out, chased leading pair until lost 3rd inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Whiskey Creek (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Lithaam (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, driven and weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Spic 'n Span (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Spirit of Coniston 7-1 (11-1) Broke well, led, headed over 3f out, one pace, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Muktasb (11-4) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Monte Major (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Always prominent, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Tyrannosaurus Rex (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Fire Up The Band 80-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 19l behind Orchard Supreme (9-5) at W'hampton 7f stk (2) pol in Jan.
Weetfromthechaff 33-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway over 3f out, hung left and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 11l behind Snow Dancer (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
The Thrifty Bear 80-1 (8-5) Led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 15l behind Avontuur (8-9) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) hvy in Oct.
Fizzlephut (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Ran wide entering straight, always towards rear, last of 10, 16l behind Tyrannosaurus Rex (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Green Lagonda (AUS) 8-1 (9-3) Soon led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Namu (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Triskaidekaphobia 10-1 (8-7) With leader over 2f, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 10, 12l behind Tyrannosaurus Rex (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
