in touch, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
held up, wide and headway approaching final furlong, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on close home
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong
keen, in touch in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on to go 2nd near finish
OUTER SPACE just has the edge at the weights in this. It’s a long time since he ran over a trip this far but he was staying on in a handicap over 7f here on Boxing Day and a repeat of that run would probably suffice. Energia Flavio would have every chance on his best form but is hard to win with. Beauden Barrett has won on Polytrack and drops in distance but the others are probably best watched at present.
Acrux 9-2jfav (9-3) Held up, headway 3f out, tracked leaders 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Equiano Springs (9-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Beauden Barrett 28-1 (9-10) Towards rear of mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 13, 5 1/2l behind Celestation (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Energia Flavio (BRZ) 33-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, effort on inside over 1f out, soon ridden and every chance, no extra and lost place final 50 yards, 10th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Twin Appeal (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Frantical 33-1 (9-2) Always behind, 12th of 13, 13 1/2l behind Scoones (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Outer Space 9-2 (9-7) Mid-division, not clear run on inside over 2f out, pressing for 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Right Action (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Pivotman 33-1 (9-6) Always towards rear, last of 8, dist behind Mullarkey (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Pour La Victoire (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) In rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Procurator (9-6) at Brighton 7f hcp (5) sft in Oct.