in touch in rear, wide and headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong
keen led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt close up, tracked leading pair 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
led 1f, tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out
Matewan finished ahead of Fire Fighting at Lingfield but never threatened the easy winner and is a pound higher now. SNOW OCEAN (NAP) tackles older horses for the first time but arrives in peak form and looked ready for a step up in trip here last time. His turn of foot could be decisive in the latter stages if he lasts home. Never Be Enough has placed at Kempton and Newcastle so can’t be ruled out but has never won beyond a mile. Temur Khan hails from a yard in form but, like Cry Wolf, is hard to fancy on recent form.
Fire Fighting (IRE) 11-1 (9-11) Soon chasing leader, led 3f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Kyllachy Gala (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Never Be Enough 40-1 (10-0) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 11, dist behind Sir Chauvelin (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Matewan (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Led early, chased leaders, switched right and effort over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Kyllachy Gala (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Snow Ocean (IRE) 11-4fav (9-2) Keen close up, pushed along to chase leading pair 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Kaser (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Cry Wolf 50-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 12th of 15, 9 1/2l behind Pirate King (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Temur Khan 25-1 (10-2) Prominent, led over 2f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 18l behind Clap Your Hands (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.