tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
with leader, led over 4f out, headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
pulled hard early and prominent, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, soon one pace
mid-division, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
behind, pushed along over 6f out, soon beaten
always behind
led, headed over 4f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up mid-division, smooth headway 3f out, led on but over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon ridden and one pace
Michael Wigham appears to have found a decent opportunity for Bethanys Boy to gain a ninth career success; he may have most to fear from Global Traffic and Nabir. The selection is a dual course and distance winner who comes here on the back of a decent effort over an extended nine furlongs at Wolverhampton. He's entitled to come on for that run, his first since October, and has an obvious chance at the weights. Global Traffic can be forgiven his latest start as he failed to see out the trip but, back in distance at a course he's run well at in the past, a better display can be expected here. Nabir has been struggling in the main over fences but appreciated the return to racing on the level when going close in a course and distance claimer. That run earns him a place on the short-list but Bethanys Boy appeals as the likelier winner.
Art of Being (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Reluctant to race and well in rear when refused and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Songe (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan, 18 ran (N.Hunt).
Nabir (FR) 6-4fav (9-4) Held up, headway over 5f out, led 3f out, headed well over 1f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind George Henson (9-0) at Southwell 1m 4f app clm (6) fbs in Jan.
Weet For Ever (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Pulled hard towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 14, 10l behind Lordswood (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Global Traffic 13-2 (9-1) Steadied start, brief effort over 3f out, soon no danger, last of 7, 17l behind Pocket Too (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Topwell 13-2 (9-9) Started slowly, behind, headway to mid-division over 7f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 12l behind Ashwell Rose (9-4) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in Nov.
Mi Odds 40-1 (10-8) Behind from 5 out, 10th of 14, 28l behind Cragganmore Creek (11-0) at Southwell 1m 3f amt hcp (6) fbs.
Simply St Lucia 25-1 (10-11) Chased leader until over 6f out, 9th of 14, 20l behind Cragganmore Creek (11-0) at Southwell 1m 3f amt hcp (6) fbs.
Bethanys Boy (IRE) 10-3 (9-6) Held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner in vain close home, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Pianoforte (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Cantley Spirit 40-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, 20l behind Cornerback (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Nov (N.Hunt).