prominent, ridden and weakened over 2f out, hung left over 1f out
slightly hampered start, held up, headway 5f out, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left, beaten when carried right inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always in rear, hampered over 1f out
slowly into stride, took keen hold towards rear, headway 2f out, beaten when wandered from over 1f out
went right start, chased leader, took keen hold, led over 5f out, edged right and headed well over 1f out, slightly hampered and switched right inside final furlong, one pace
always prominent, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
led over 1f, with leader, led well over 1f out, soon hung left, ran on well
behind final 3f
Little Wing has been impressive in winning his last two starts at Southwell and, provided that the switch to the Polytrack does not inconvenience Jamie Osborne's colt, he should be up to defying the 6lb penalty for his most recent success and gets the vote ahead of Fathsta and Ten Pole Tudor. The last mentioned disappointed when behind Fathsta at Lingfield last time but has solid claims on earlier form so cannot be discounted. The Stuart Williams-trained Bussell Up is clearly going the right way but looks a shade high in the weights for his debut in a handicap so may be best watched. Similar comments apply to Mark Johnston's Upper Class, who was well held off this mark on his handicap debut over course and distance last time but there may be more to come from him after just two outings. Sylvester Kirk's Fathsta has to be respected on current form from the pick of the draw but preference is for the unexposed and in-form Little Wing.
Ocean Transit (IRE) 11-1 (8-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Seeking Star (9-2) at Leicester 7f 2yo stk (4) gs in Oct.
Little Wing (IRE) 5-6fav (9-4) Keen, joined leader halfway, led over 2f out, soon clear, driven out, won at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp (5) fbs beating Loose Caboose (8-10) by 8l, 7 ran.
Ten Pole Tudor 7-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 9l behind Fathsta (8-8) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (5) pol in Dec.
Naughty Frida (IRE) (8-13) Soon ridden along, never a threat, 6th of 10, 9l behind Eastern Romance (8-13) at Longchamp 5f in Oct.
Fathsta (IRE) 13-8fav (9-6) Pulled hard in touch, ridden and no headway final furlong, 5th of 6, 3l behind Cross Fell (9-4) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Bussell Up 6-4 (8-5) Tracked leaders, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Lingfield 6f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan beating Salt of The Earth (8-10) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Upper Class (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 1f out, never going pace to trouble leaders, 4th of 6, 3l behind Cross Fell (9-4) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Hit The Roof 6-4fav (9-4) Held up, headway to lead 1f out, ran on under pressure, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo clm (6) pol beating Llab Nala (8-7) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
