made all, ridden over 1f out, edged right entering final furlong, ran on
in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
always prominent, ridden 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, not troubled winner
slowly into stride, held up, shaken up over 1f out, not troubled leaders
chased winner, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
By The Edge is in top form lately and gets the nod here over Bond Becks and Earl Compton. The minimum trip is ideal for David Barron's gelding, who has gone up 4lb since beating Monte Major over c&d last month. The selection is 5lb better off with Triskaidekaphobia for just over two lengths when they met here on December 3rd and and provided he gives his running, and he is a consistent performer, then he might just get his head in front. Triskaidekaphobia had a hat-trick bid foiled off a mark of 61 last time and has dropped 1lb here, so he can still go close. Wicked Uncle is 6lb better with the latter runner for a head in the race that also involved the selection, so he has a great chance of reversing form for Steve Gollings, Bond Becks is respected but looks best over 6f these days, while Earl Compton can again get competitive having slipped a bit in the weights. Potentially trappy, the vote here is just with By The Edge.
Triskaidekaphobia 7-2 (9-0) With leader, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 6l behind Almaty Express (9-0) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Wicked Uncle 22-1 (9-4) Jumped left at start, towards rear, soon ridden along, never troubled leaders, 9th of 13, 8l behind Cleveland (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
By The Edge (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Made all, ridden 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec beating Monte Major (8-13) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sparkwell 25-1 (9-3) Held up in last, impeded over 1f out, never a threat, last of 17, 12l behind Inka Dancer (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Bond Becks (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Chased winner from halfway, no impression from over 1f out, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Almaty Express (9-0) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Ace Club 33-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 7l behind Cleveland (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Earl Compton (IRE) 17-2 (8-13) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased leading pair in vain, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Garlogs (8-6) at W'hampton 5f hcp (6) pol.