held up in touch, driven along over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up, headway on outside over 3f out, every chance from over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, held up on inside, switched and headway over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong and one pace
held up in touch, not clear run briefly over 2f out, edged left just over 1f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong, no impression on leaders
soon chasing leader, led over 3f out, edged right well over 1f out and strongly pressed, ran on
prominent, not clear run on inside and lost place well over 2f out, no danger after
Nonrunner
Connect is selected ahead of Gifted Gamble and Mandarin Spirit. The selection has proved difficult to win with but managed to get the monkey off his back last time out and is still well treated in relation to his turf mark. Gifted Gamble has never won on the all-weather although he should not be too readily passed over as his stable are sending out winners. Mandarin Spirit was due to run at Kempton on Saturday so he would be of some interest if turning out here. He is a difficult ride so it is surprising that Greg Chung has elected to book an apprentice. Grey Boy has improved by a switch to Richard Fahey's stable and has taken on some fair handicappers over the course of the winter. Le Chiffre ran a stinker last time out and is likely to be returned to a front-running role. Writ has winning form over course-and-distance and has to be respected. A fair race under the circumstances and Connect is taken to land the spoils.
Connect 10-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov beating Grimes Faith (8-13) by 1l, 11 ran.
Gifted Gamble 5-1fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded, 4th of 10, 2l behind Buy On The Red (8-7) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Tyzack (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 12, 15l behind Chicken Soup (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Held up, headway on inside 2f out, went 2nd approaching final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Lethal (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) std.
Grey Boy (GER) 11-4 (8-11) In touch, chased leaders 2f out, not quicken and weakened 1f out, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Fajr (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Writ (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Chicken Soup (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Plateau 16-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 13, 10l behind Dudley Docker (8-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Rookwith (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Towards rear, effort on outer early straight, kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out, 9th of 19, 9l behind Crossing (8-11) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 0-100 gf in Aug.
Le Chiffre (IRE) 20-1 (7-13) Soon outpaced, last of 10, 9l behind Stoneacre Lad (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcap (3) fbs in Dec.
