made most, ridden over 1f out, headed and outpaced by winner inside final furlong, lost two places post
steadied start, held up in rear, headway on inside when not clearest of runs over 1f out until switched left entering final furlong, stayed on into 2nd post, no chance with winner
took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, unable to quicken when edged left and carried head high over 1f out, slightly hampered inside final furlong, kept on pressing for places but no chance with winner
dwelt, held up in last pair, good headway on wide outside edging left over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, easily
chased leaders on outside, wide on home turn, ridden and weakening when squeezed up over 1f out
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chasing leaders when not clearest of runs and switched right over 1f out, not much room entering final furlong, kept on into 3rd post, but no chance with winner
chased leaders on inside, ridden 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
disputed lead, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakening when slightly hampered final 100 yards
Metronomic looks stuck on his present mark and failed to threaten when placed at Wolverhampton during the week behind Hazell Berry. The former’s stablemate Auric Goldfinger is a similar type and returned a losing favourite at the same meeting at Wolverhampton. Rita's Girl has rapidly slid down the weights without showing any improvement so another chance goes to NICKY BABY, beaten a couple of lengths over today’s trip on his handicap debut earlier this month and expected to improve for that first start since August.
Nicky Baby (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Soon pressing leader, ridden over 3f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Sky Ballerina (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Dream Reversion 5-1 (9-4) Close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Popsilca (8-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Metronomic (IRE) 5-2 (9-9) Keen close up, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3l behind American Patrol (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Auric Goldfinger (IRE) 10-3fav (9-8) Close up, headway over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Beepeecee (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Rita's Girl 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division on outside, pushed along well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 7l behind Oberyn (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn fll stks (6) pol in Jan.
Tigerfish (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Dwelt in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Beepeecee (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Lily Cliff 14-1 (8-3) Mid-division, ridden halfway, never a factor, 8th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Wimboldsley (9-5) at Southwell 6f hcp (7) pol in Jan.
Hazell Berry (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Keen tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 2l behind American Patrol (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.