led at strong pace, headed and weakened 1f out
awkward leaving stalls, held up in rear, short lived effort on inside 2f out
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders in 4th, tracked leading pair 2f out, every chance over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway under pressure on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish
always towards rear, pushed along and struggling 3f out, tailed off
held up in touch, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 100 yards
in touch on outside, headway under pressure over 2f out, driven to lead 1f out, headed final 100 yards, lost 2nd near finish
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, moderate headway final furlong
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Wake up, smell the coffee and back MOCHA JAVA to supplement his Southwell gains. Dangers include Mister Trickster and Binnion Bay. The latter hasn't got his head in front since 2007 but he's dropped to a handy mark as a result and showed signs of a return to form at Lingfield on his latest start when staying on strongly to be beaten just two lengths. Mister Trickster's penultimate start was over hurdles in April 2007 but he ran on really well from an unpromising position to finish best of all over course and distance in January 2008; his subsequent absence is a worry but he can go close if able to hold a better position in the early stages. Mocha Java got the win that some consistent performances merited when keeping on well to win at Southwell on his latest start and a 6lb rise gives him ample scope to follow up. He's equally effective at this track having gone close to winning here twice in his last four starts and has competed successfully from higher marks in the past. He's well drawn and Mocha Java should be backed to follow up now that he's come to the boil.
Tamino (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Led, ridden 2f out, one pace and headed approaching 1f out, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Hollow Jo (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Thabaat 5-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden along 2f out, no impression, stayed on final furlong, not troubled leaders, 5th of 12, 6l behind Guildenstern (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Mocha Java 7-1 (8-4) Held up, headway on outer over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, edged left under pressure and kept on final furlong, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Jan beating Highland Song (8-7) by 2l, 13 ran.
Bold Diva 10-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, headway and not clear run from over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Divertimenti (9-5) at Lingfield 7f app hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Mister Trickster (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Steadied start, settled in rear, good headway on outside over 1f out, finished strongly, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Unlimited (8-8) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan '08.
Siraj 7-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, soon driven along, kept on final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Punching (8-12) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov '07.
Binnion Bay (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Started slowly, took keen hold in rear, still pulling over 2f out, headway over 1f out, finished well inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 6th of 9, 2l behind Herbert Crescent (9-5) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Convince (USA) 11-2co-fav (9-1) Awkward leaving stalls, held up behind, headway over 1f out, strong run on outside to lead well inside final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan beating Mr Loire (9-8) by 1l, 12 ran.
Evenstorm (USA) 6-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, driven on inside, no impression over 1f out, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Loyal Royal (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Balerno 25-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 13, 3l behind Muktasb (11-4) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Bollywood Style 7-2fav (8-8) Pulled hard towards rear, ridden and never dangerous final 2f, 8th of 9, 5l behind Herbert Crescent (9-5) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (6) pol in Jan.
August Gale (USA) 50-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden along 4f out, weakened over 2f, 9th of 14, 21l behind Blue Charm (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Very Well Red 6-1 (8-9) Led, quickened over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 4l behind The Graig (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Bidable 12-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, outpaced from over 1f out, 8th of 12, 3 1/2l behind King of Legend (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
