tracked leader, challenged over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed last 100 yards, kept on
held up mid-division, ridden inside final furlong, one pace
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to lead last 100 yards
led, pressed over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
slowly away, in rear, ridden over 1f out, never danerous
Haines has struggled since winning at Southwell in April and has not raced since August. BAYAN KASIRGA is preferred despite managing only fourth at Lingfield last time as she scored over track and trip before that and Richard Fahey's mare gets the nod. Celestial Bay also won over course and distance in November but has been beaten twice subsequently while Arthurs Secret's earlier win at Newcastle came over the longer trip of 2m. Competent remains unexposed and could go well.
Thimaar (USA) 20-1 (9-11) Held up in last, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 29 1/2l behind Sunblazer (9-9) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Celestial Bay 6-1 (9-10) In touch, headway when not clear run over 1f out, switched left, ridden and no impression final furlong, 6th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Cotillion (9-4) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Haines 9-1 (9-2) Led, headed over 5f out, pushed along and lost place over 3f out, eased over 1f out, last of 11, 34 3/4l behind Spice Fair (9-7) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Shimba Hills 66-1 (9-4) Steadied start and switched left, in rear, ridden over 2f out, nearest finish, 6th of 13, 14 1/4l behind Silver Quay (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Arthurs Secret 8-1 (11-2) Led until after 3rd, led again next, headed after 4 out, led again before next, headed approaching last, faded, 4th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Kayf Blanco (11-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Bayan Kasirga (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Dwelt in rear, pushed along when not clear run entering final 2f, headway entering final furlong, ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Dolphin Village (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Competent 66-1 (9-5) Led early, in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 12, 6l behind Queen's Novel (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Obboorr 25-1 (9-6) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Alshan Fajer (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Heska (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Dwelt, always behind, 9th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Hickster (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Dec.