mid-division, not much room when closing over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, stayed on
led, pushed along over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
pulled hard, chased leader until over 6f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, quickened clear, readily
held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never threatened
in touch, driven over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, went 2nd over 6f out until over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, one pace 2f out, weakened from over 1f out
slowly away, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
steadied start, held up in rear, not much room 2f out, some progress inside final furlong, no impression
NonRunner
This is a really tough start for punters as several of these look capable of winning more races this year. El Ghazwani has already scored on the all-weather this term while soft ground was to blame for the previously-progressive Harrovian’s poor run at York in October. COUNTRY is back in a Class 3 for the first time since completing his hat-trick at Redcar last August. Though he suffered a couple of reverses later, he was far from disgraced and should have more to offer. Sameem also won three times last year and has every chance on the pick of his form but Thrave may be better over shorter distances. The going may be too quick for November’s Newmarket winner Alternative Fact.
Harrovian 4-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, under pressure over 2f out, soon eased, last of 7, dist behind Coolagh Forest (8-6) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Sameem (IRE) 11-8fav (9-6) Led, steadied tempo halfway, quickened over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, weakened soon after, 4th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Kitaabaat (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Thrave 9-2 (9-7) Held up behind, headway on outside over 4f out, outpaced and wide into straight, ridden 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Universal Gleam (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Country 10-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, never nearer, 8th of 19, 13l behind Trueshan (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Babbo's Boy (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden and weakened 3f out, 18th of 19, dist behind Trueshan (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Finniston Farm 5-4fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Lightning Attack (8-13) at Redcar 1m 2f stks (5) hvy in Oct.
Spiorad (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 11 1/4l behind Coolagh Forest (9-5) at York 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Oasis Prince 16-1 (9-7) Pushed along in rear, weakened 4f out, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Passion And Glory (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
El Ghazwani (IRE) 4-7fav (9-13) Held up last, pushed along on outside well over 1f out, strong run to lead well inside final furlong, readily, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Feb beating Smile A Mile (9-6) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Cosmeapolitan 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders on inside, 3rd and one pace final furlong, no chance with 1st 2, 3rd of 4, 4 1/4l behind Original Choice (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Alternative Fact 7-1 (8-13) Close up, headway to lead approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Awake My Soul (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Universal Gleam 7-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, switched outside and headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Mar beating Candelisa (8-9) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
