in touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway over 2f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, faded final furlong
prominent, every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, never dangerous
mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, eased near finish
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner
tracked leaders, driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led until over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon no impression
dwelt, detached in rear, never a factor
The veteran Alpha Tauri has won nine times in his long career, all on this track including over the trip on his return from an absence a month ago. He finds 6f on the short side nowadays so should be forgiven his latest effort last week though he did have Llewellyn behind. The maiden SWANSWAY finished runner-up over a mile here last month before leading at this trip then fading over that distance a few weeks later. He may be capable of a bit better and gets the nod in an open contest. Quadriga has won three times around here and would have needed his latest run following a long break while the lightly-raced Macho Mac was well supported at Wolverhampton last time but pulled too hard. Paladin won at Kempton in June but hardly picked his feet up in his last two starts on that track in September.
Alpha Tauri (USA) 8-1 (8-5) Short of room and dropped to rear soon after start, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Vroom (8-7) at Southwell 6f stks (6) pol in Dec.
Secret Glance 66-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, last of 13, 18 1/4l behind Dark Devil (9-2) at Goodwood 1m hcp stks (4) gd in Oct.
Llewellyn 20-1 (8-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Vroom (8-7) at Southwell 6f stks (6) pol in Dec.
Paladin (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 14, 16 1/2l behind Hardy Black (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Port Lairge 28-1 (9-7) Soon pushed along and behind after 1f, ridden and kept on towards finish, 9th of 14, 7 1/2l behind Piazon (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Macho Mac 4-1fav (9-3) With leaders, challenged 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Swanton Blue (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Swansway 5-1jfav (9-3) Tracked leaders, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Lozah (9-3) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Quadriga (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Prominent, driven over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Melgate Melody (8-10) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Dr Red Eye 40-1 (8-5) Pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Vroom (8-7) at Southwell 6f stks (6) pol in Dec.
Locommotion 18-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, last of 11, 16l behind Win Lose Draw (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Firgrove Bridge (IRE) 17-2 (8-13) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, lost place over 1f out, 6th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Barista (9-3) at Leicester 7f hcp (6) gs in Sep.
