soon led, joined over 4f out, ridden halfway, headed entering final furlong, kept on one pace
led early, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened halfway
towards rear, never a factor
towards rear, pushed along 4f out, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, soon edged left, driven out
joined leader over 4f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
in touch, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
slowly into stride, always in rear
raced wide in touch, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
in rear, never near leaders
Any number of these are capable at this level and it looks something of a lottery. Alpha Tauri beat a Spitfire over track and trip in December but the latter is much better off on today's terms. Prince Of Passion finished well ahead of Fathom Five here last month, but Elusive Hawk was a disappointment dropped into a seller at Wolverhampton last time. Jockey bookings suggest Take The Lead is preferred to Greenhead High and the course and distance winner could go close, but MEEBO is given a chance to take advantage of her feather-weight and gets a speculative vote.
Alpha Tauri (USA) 7-2 (9-1) Soon led, ridden 5 lengths clear 3f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Arabian Flight (8-13) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs.
Fathom Five (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) In rear, ridden halfway, never a factor, 6th of 9, 14l behind Electric Qatar (8-12) at Southwell 5f sell stks (6) fbs.
Prince Of Passion (CAN) 12-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 5l behind Ex Ex (9-7) at Kempton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Elusive Hawk (IRE) 7-4 (9-1) Led and set good pace, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no chance with winner, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish, last of 3, 3 1/2l behind Saharia (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Jan.
Greenhead High 6-1 (9-0) Led, hard driven over 2f out, soon headed, faded final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Abi Scarlet (8-2) at Southwell 6f sell stks (6) fbs in Jan.
Mitchum 16-1 (8-12) Led early, close up, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 10l behind Arabian Flight (8-13) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs.
Take The Lead 10-1 (9-2) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 25l behind Powerful Pierre (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Girl At The Sands (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, keen hold on outside towards rear, bumped over 4f out, carried winde on bend 2f out, soon beaten, last of 9, 17l behind Compton Prince (8-11) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Laughing Rock (IRE) 7-4fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Take The Lead (8-13) at Southwell 6f fll hcp (0-75) (5) fbs in Jan.
Meebo (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Alumina (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Red Biba (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Dwelt and outpaced, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on, never nearer, 4th of 7, 8l behind Alumina (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Sicilian Bay (IRE) 100-1 (8-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 24l behind Tigers In Red (8-10) at Southwell 7f mdn stks (5) fbs.
Spitfire 13-8 (9-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, every chance well inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 3, nk behind Arabian Flight (8-10) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs in Jan.
