tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
close up, pushed along to chase winner over 1f out, not clear run and switched right entering final furlong, ran on(placed 1st)
keen led, pushed along and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch in rear, pushed along 2f out, not trouble leaders
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and hung left entering final furlong, idled towards finish(placed 2nd)
raced wide, close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
MUTARAAFEQ landed the odds back in novice company at Newcastle last time. He placed in a handicap at Chelmsford before that and looks worth sticking with. Course regular Hooflepuff looks sure to be in the mix once again while the veteran My Target posted a better effort when fourth over track and trip last week. Sagauteur is 5lb higher than when successful at Redcar in October while Cuban Cigar return to this venue for the first time since scoring here in August.
Sagauteur (FR) 10-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders went 2nd over 2f out until ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 8 3/4l behind Mustazeed (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Precisely 18-1 (9-10) Raced wide close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 7 3/4l behind Marion's Boy (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Mutaraafeq (IRE) 2-7fav (9-5) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Newcastle 1m stks (6) pol in Nov beating Maltby Raider (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
My Target (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, travelled strongly into 2nd before pushed 2f out, short of room entering final furlong, beaten when ridden late on, 5th of 9, 2l behind Carey Street (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Hooflepuff (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway inside final furlong, ran on, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Fitwood Star (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Cuban Cigar 20-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 29 1/2l behind Parliament Hill (10-12) at Leicester 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.