slowly away in rear, headway 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on
prominent, pushed along 3f out, effort over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
keen, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up, switched right entering final 2f, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
slowly away, tracked leaders after 1f, went 2nd over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, ran on
dwelt, in touch, ridden 4f out, kept on same pace
raced wide prominent, weakened over 2f out
keen in rear, saddle slipped over 5f out, headway on outer over 4f out, chased leaders, weakened final furlong
raced wide keen towards rear, outpaced over 4f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
GIOS LAST has not raced since winning at Kempton at the start of December. But his defeat of The Yank and Golly Miss Molly looks better in hindsight with both of those rivals subsequently winning and James Eustace's charge gets the nod. Royal Mizar was beaten only a short-head at Lingfield and is another to consider along with previous course winner Weybridge Light, third at Southwell last time ahead of Valentine's Gift and Cherry Tiger. It's hard to make a case for any of the remainder on recent form.
Kolonel Kirkup 11-2 (9-4) In touch, lost place over 6f out, soon behind, eased over 2f out, 9th of 10, well behind Mazij (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-55) (6) in Jan.
Gios Last (GER) 15-8fav (8-12) Always prominent, led 2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating The Yank (8-13) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Cherry Tiger 11-1 (10-7) Led, headed 8f out, led again over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 12l behind Amazing Blue Sky (10-8) at Southwell 1m 3f am hcp 0-52 (6) fbs.
Royal Mizar (SPA) 8-1 (9-1) Dwelt in touch, not clear run 3f out, soon switched left, headway over 1f out, effort to press winner inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 15, shd behind Lucky Dottie (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Ninepointsixthree 8-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 8l behind Crouching Harry (8-11) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul.
Weybridge Light 11-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, chased leaders 3f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Amazing Blue Sky (10-8) at Southwell 1m 3f am hcp 0-52 (6) fbs.
Valentine's Gift 50-1 (10-5) Dwelt in rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 5l behind Amazing Blue Sky (10-8) at Southwell 1m 3f am hcp 0-52 (6) fbs.
Queen Of Epirus 25-1 (9-7) Dwelt, mid-division, headway over 8f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 26l behind Valantino Oyster (9-11) at Beverley 1m 4f sell hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug '13.
Illegale (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 9l behind Golly Miss Molly (8-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Corlough Mountain 100-1 (8-12) Soon tracking leader, pushed along and lost 2nd over 5f out, chased leaders, outpaced 4f out, 7th and no impression over 1f out, 7th of 10, 19l behind Mountain Range (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
Beauchamp Melba 20-1 (8-13) Chased leading pair, lost place 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 24l behind San Quentin (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Nov.