dwelt held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, not reach leaders
in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, weakened towards finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led over 5f out, made rest, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, switched right 1f out, stayed on near finish
steadied start, keen in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
AVONROSE landed a competitive small-field Fibresand handicap last time after dropping to a more workable all-weather mark. However, he's also a winner here and looks the one to beat having rediscovered his form. The booking of Philip Makin, in the plate for that Southwell success, strengthens confidence. Course and distance winner, City Legend, looks a major threat however, having battled on bravely to claim a dead-heat success in a recent Lingfield handicap. J R Hartley is an interesting candidate too as he has some more than useful Fibresand form to his name and will be a danger to all if able to translate that level to Polytrack. Viva Ronaldo also showed enough when a decent fourth here last time behind Tislaam to merit serious consideration.
Viva Ronaldo (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway 1f out, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Tislaam (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Avonrose 3-1 (9-4) Chased leader, ridden to narrow lead 2f out, strongly pressed until driven and stayed on to assert close home, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Piceno (9-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ivory Silk 11-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, some late headway, never nearer, 9th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Hatta Stream (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Riverdale (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, headway 3f out to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Ellie In The Pink (8-6) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sep.
City Legend 4-1 (9-4) Always prominent, driven to lead over 2f out, strongly challenged inside final furlong, joined post, won at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol deadheating with Eager To Bow (9-2), 9 ran.
Needwood Ridge 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Lastkingofscotland (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f app hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Dunseverick (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, took keen hold in rear, headway over 1f out, never near to challenge, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Zaheeb (8-12) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
J R Hartley 15-2 (9-1) Tracked leader, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 6l behind Tewin Wood (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.