close up, ridden along from over 6f out, weakened 2f out
led after 2f, ridden and headed 3f out, plugged on same pace
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led 2f, tracked leader, led again 3f out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish
raced wide held up well in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, plugged on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no threat
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
COUNTRY'N'WESTERN is likely to be raised more in the future than the 6lb extra he carries today after scoring by nine lengths over 1m6f here last week. He can take advantage given this shorter trip should not be a problem. Sociologist ran no sort of race behind the selection last time but had easily won a maiden race over 1m3f at the track before that while Vivernus finished third in a similar contest here last month and can race off the same mark. God Willing won a claimer at Redcar in October and Saryshagann finished in front of Ezanak when only fifth at Kempton last week.
Ezanak (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 13l behind Lexington Law (9-11) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Saryshagann (FR) 6-1 (9-6) Set strong pace, headed over 1f out, faded, 5th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Lexington Law (9-11) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
God Willing 9-4 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead closing stages, won at Redcar 1m 2f stks (6) gf in Jul beating Jacbequick (9-4) by nk, 7 ran.
Vivernus (USA) 7-2 (9-4) Prominent, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Amitie Waltz (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Country'n'western (FR) 20-1 (9-2) Raced wide in touch, headway to track leaders 8f out, led 3f out, quickened clear over 1f out, comfortable, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Sbraase (8-12) by 9l, 9 ran.
Sociologist (FR) 9-2 (9-4) Hampered and dropped to rear leaving stalls, switched to outer and headway to lead after 3f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 35 3/4l behind Country'n'western (9-2) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.