awkward start, held up, switched right over 2f out, headway over 1f out, no threat to leaders
soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra when losing 2nd last strides
mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 2nd last strides, no impression on winner
bumped start, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong
bumped start, chased leaders and driven along, weakened over 2f out
led early, chased leaders, lost place over 2f out
bumped start, in rear, headway over 1f out, no impression
always prominent, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
NO MEAN TRICK remains in fine fettle and scored at Southwell last week when just beating subsequent winner Shawkantango. He's at equally at home on the Polytrack having won over C&D in December and Paul Midgley's charge gets the vote with an apprentice negating his penalty. Novabridge also has 6lb extra for Monday's victory over track and trip when Decider was well beaten and should be thereabouts, but Court Applause drops back a furlong and Grand Stitch makes more appeal having gone close over C&D earlier.
No Mean Trick (USA) 3-1fav (9-6) Made all, joined inside final furlong, drive and all out, just held on, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Shawkantango (9-2) by ns, 9 ran.
Novabridge 3-1fav (9-7) Appeared to make all, pushed clear well over 1f out, clear as field came into view last half furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Argentine (9-5) by 2l, 11 ran.
Court Applause (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened towards finish, 6th of 10, 3l behind The Wee Chief (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Decider (USA) 14-1 (8-13) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, behind and no chance as field came into view last half furlong, 9th of 11, 14l behind Novabridge (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Grand Stitch (USA) 66-1 (8-8) Raced wide early, headway to lead over 3f out, ridden clear 2f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Master Of Disguise (8-11) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (6) pol in Jan.
Patch Patch 50-1 (8-12) Close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 16l behind Drawnfromthepast (9-3) at Southwell 5f sell stks (6) fbs.
Slatey Hen (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Keen mid-division, hampered over 1f out, switched right 1f out, stayed on towards finish, not trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 3l behind The Wee Chief (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Da'quonde (IRE) 4-1fav (8-13) With leader, led narrowly 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 12l behind Beachwood Bay (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp (0-55) (6) fbs in Jan.