tracked leader, challenged 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on
led, driven over 2f out, headed over 1f out, switched right entering final furlong, soon ridden, kept on
held up 3rd and last, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not reach leading pair
None of these inspire much confidence but CHEEKTOCHEEK is best in at the weights and gets the nod. Well beaten last time, the Yarmouth winner may return to form in first-time headgear and has gone close at this track before. Mick Dundee is creeping closer and has more scope for improvement than Run It Twice, a C&D winner back in August who has struggled in handicaps off a higher mark since.
Run It Twice (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never on terms, 6th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Grendisar (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Mick Dundee (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders halfway, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Red Eight (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Cheektocheek (IRE) 11-8fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, effort well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 14l behind Missing Agent (8-0) at Kempton 1m 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Nov.