chased leaders, badly hampered over 2f out, not recover
held up in touch, switched right to outside well over 2f out, headway soon after, bumped over 2f out, led well over 1f out, pushed along and ran on final furlong, comfortably
always behind
held up in rear, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
made most until headed 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
in touch, pushed along 3f out, ran on inside final furlong to dead heat for 2nd, no chance with winner
chased leaders, pushed along and went badly right over 2f out, one pace and no impression when hung left inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, never troubled leaders
led early, tracked leader, led 3f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, headway on outside to chase winner and edged left over 1f out, no impression final furlong, joined for 2nd post
The City Kid won well enough here last time but a 3lb rise for that success makes this tougher and a better bet looks to be GRANNY MCPHEE, who can resume winning ways with the main danger rated as New Beginning. Sue Lamyman's gelding is better than he showed on his reappearance here last month but he should come on for that outing and has to be respected off a fair mark. Lee Smyth's Coolnaharan has been running consistently well of late and has to be considered off his current mark, while Via Mia has slipped to a decent mark but is hard to back on the evidence of recent form. Mark Brisbourne's The Last Bottle disappointed in a maiden last time but earlier form in handicaps gives him every chance in this grade and he cannot be discounted but a better bet looks to be Granny McPhee. Alan Bailey's gelding won well here two starts ago and has gone well in two starts since then off the same mark that he races off today and he looks worth siding with to resume winning ways.
New Beginning (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Tracked leader until ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 6l behind Hannicean (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Granny McPhee 18-1 (8-4) Chased leaders on inside, tracked leader gong well 2f out, led over 1f out, soon pressed and kept on until headed and outpaced by winner final 150 yards, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Franco Is My Name (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Via Mia 10-1 (9-5) Ridden leaving stalls, pressed leader 6f out, every chance from 2f out until inside final furlong, faded, 6th of 10, 4l behind Ravi River (9-9) at Wolverhampton 7f sell stks (6) pol.
Coolnaharan (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Took keen hold in rear, ridden over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 12, 7l behind Make Amends (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
The Last Bottle (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Held up and keen, headway over 5f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 16l behind Inflammable (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
The City Kid (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and switched left approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan beating Marjury Daw (8-12) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Blackstone Vegas 66-1 (8-9) Held up, weakened 4f out, 8th of 12, 32l behind Sinbad The Sailor (9-4) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Forced Opinion (USA) 20-1 (9-4) Very slowly away, always behind, 8th of 10, 35l behind The Grey One (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Kirstys Lad 11-2 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Barodine (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Corrib (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Lytham (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
