tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, ridden and one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, headway on outer over 1f out, led final 100 yards, pushed out, ran on well
mid-division, driven to chase leaders on inside over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression
towards rear, outpaced 3f out, never dangerous
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards
chased leaders, driven over 2f out, effort and every chance over 1f out until inside final furloong, weakened final 100 yards
slwoly into sride, always behind
pressed leader, ridden over 1f out, lost place entering final furlong, soon weakened
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace inside final furlong
NonRunner
FIRE DIAMOND (NAP) landed a hat-trick when producing a late surge to score at Lingfield last month. He may not have finished improving yet and a further 3lb rise doesn’t look insurmountable. Unnoticed has gone close at Southwell on a couple of occasions recently while Napoleon Solo opened his account with a win in maiden company at the same track. But Athletic is preferred off his current mark after placing at Lingfield and Spirit Of Gondree was not beaten far over course and distance last week.
Unnoticed 9-2jfav (9-6) Prominent, went 3rd over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Essenaitch (9-8) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Fire Diamond 3-1jfav (9-4) Steadied start, held up towards rear, wide into straight 2f out, ridden and ran on strongly to lead post, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Saleh (9-7) by ns, 14 ran.
Top Offer 8-1 (9-6) In rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, last of 8, 11l behind Almuhalab (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (6) gd in Aug.
George Baker (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, shaken up and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 9, 3 3/4l behind Cliff (9-9) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Deeley's Double (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Behind, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Boost (8-7) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Napoleon Solo 7-4fav (9-5) Made all, hard driven over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Southwell 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Playful Dude (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Athletic 7-2 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden and headway to chase clear winner approaching final furlong, no impression inside final furlong, eased final strides and lost 2nd, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Polymnia (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Binky Blue (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, some headway towards inside over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Cliff (9-9) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Virile (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Started slowly, last pair, ridden and no impression final furlong, 8th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Born To Finish (9-13) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
I Can't Stop 100-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up and behind, never figured, 8th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Gossiping (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Spirit Of Gondree (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Athassel (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Shamlan (IRE) 18-1 (9-7) Started slowly, reminders and struggling 5f out, always behind,, 12th of 13, 25l behind Mercifilly (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
