chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon no impression
made all, ridden over 1f out, soon strongly challenged, held on gamely towards finish
held up in rear, outpaced halfway, soon weakened
prominent, raced wide, driven to challenge over 2f out, every chance well inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, soon edged left, evevry chance inside final furlong, just failed
tracked leaders, under pressure over 2f out, weakening when hung right over 1f out
slowly into stride, keen early, held up in touch, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
This looks a tricky puzzle to solve, further complicated by the fact that Chris Wall runs both Oh So Saucy and Strike A Deal. The former probably isn't badly treated on her reappearance and goes well here, while the latter could easily improve this year. Tewin Wood is 3lb lower than when second at Wolverhampton earlier this month and But Beautiful has also been in good form on the all-weather. Petomic is another with claims but it has to be interesting that James Fanshawe is persisting with MASHATU, who showed promise in a couple of maidens last year and didn't enjoy much luck in running on his handicap debut at Pontefract in the autumn. The Pivotal gelding is worth another chance.
Oh So Saucy 12-1 (9-4) Held up in mid division on inside, steady headway over 2f out, not clear run and switched to rails entering final furlong, ridden and stayed on gamely to lead last strides, won at Newbury 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep beating Willow Dancer (9-4) by hd, 12 ran.
Tewin Wood 5-1 (8-11) Soon chased leader, led halfway, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Tiradito (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Rio Tinto 5-1 (9-1) Chaseed leaders, lost place over 3f out, last of 8, 26l behind Baltimore Clipper (9-3) at Thirsk 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
But Beautiful (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 7l behind Very Well Red (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Mashatu 10-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway and edged left over 2f out, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 8l behind Sharp Sovereign (9-1) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Strike A Deal (IRE) 9-2 (8-2) Dwelt, led after 1f, raced stands side over 1f out, soon ridden and headed, kept on to take 2nd final 100 yards, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Indian Valley (8-2) at Pontefract 1m 3yo clm (4) sft in Oct.
Petomic (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Held up, headway on inside from 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Boa (8-10) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.