led early, tracked leaders, not clear run over 1f out, led again inside final furlong, headed towards finish
last to break, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, some headway on inside over 1f out, never involved
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
chased leaders, driven and every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish
mid-division, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on and edged left well inside final furlong, led towards finish
took keen hold, tracked leaders, steadied after 1f, effort when not much room over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
prominent, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
Sennockian Star has rediscovered the winning touch but in lower grade contests than this. Winterlude was allowed to set a slow pace for most of the way at Lingfield last time and held on for a narrow-margin success with the favourite Coillte Cailin back in fifth. The latter is not out of this if getting a faster pace but PERFECT CRACKER is preferred. Clive Cox’s charge has been thereabouts the last twice now and a repeat of his second over track and trip on Boxing Day should see him go close again and confirm running with John Reel in the process. Pearl Nation is now back on a winning mark having failed to score last year but Pactolus looks high enough in the weights and Vettori Rules has his first start for new connections having won three times in Italy.
Winterlude (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Soon led, made rest, kept on inside final furlong, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Jan beating Kyllachy Gala (9-8) by hd, 5 ran.
Vettori Rules (9-4) last of 6, 8 1/2l behind Genovese (8-11) at San Siro 1m 2f hcp in Oct.
John Reel (FR) 15-2 (9-6) Close up, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Pinzolo (9-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Pearl Nation (USA) 7-2 (9-12) Took keen hold, pressed leader, led 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 5, nk behind Regarde Moi (9-5) at Southwell 1m stks (6) pol in Jan.
Coillte Cailin (IRE) 6-4fav (8-13) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, last of 5, 1 3/4l behind Winterlude (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Pactolus (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 13, 4 1/4l behind Flaming Spear (9-2) at Newcastle 7f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Perfect Cracker 7-1 (9-4) In touch, headway 4f out, close up, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Mythical Madness (9-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Sennockian Star 5-2fav (9-0) Tracked leading pair, 2nd 5f out, led inside final 3f, shaken up and battled on gamely inside final furlong, in command towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Rydan (9-2) by 3/4l, 10 ran.