raced wide, led 7f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader briefly over 1f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, in touch in rear, ridden and weakened 2f out
led early, tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up in touch, good headway in center over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon in command, eased near finish, just held on
soon led, headed 7f out, tracked leader, led again over 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied when winner was eased near finish
It's unusual for James Fanshawe to have runners this early in the year so CAPTIVATOR's presence here looks significant. Second over C&D on her latest start in September the Motivator filly, a half-sister to the smart Macadamia, will enhance her paddocks value if she can record a couple of wins and this should be well within her compass. Shamardal Phantom was placed on turf at Ascot and Epsom last summer but reappears here after a lengthy break, though she looks to have more scope than Michael Appleby's Irish import Minsky Mine.
Warrior Nation (FR) 50-1 (9-3) Slowly away, pulled hard in rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 25l behind Amica (8-3) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Arco Felice (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, hard driven and headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 15, well behind Conduct (9-3) at Sandown 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Sep.
Jersey Joe (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, always towards rear, 8th of 12, 29l behind Oscara Dara (11-6) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (3-6yo) (AW) (6) std in Dec.
Minsky Mine (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Rear of mid-division for most, never a factor, 11th of 13, 31l behind Lastofthemohicans (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo mdn stks pol in Aug.
Captivator 15-8fav (8-10) Mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders 3f out, ridden 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Fun Affair (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.
Shamardal Phantom (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Dwelt, in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Fork Lightning (8-12) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo fll stks (5) gs in Aug.
Gabrielle Da Vinci 33-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, driven and weakened over 3f out, 7th of 9, 30l behind Mister Frosty (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol.