held up mid-division on outer, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, no chance with winner
dwelt, soon close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
dwelt, pushed along behind, ridden and headway 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, prominent and keen, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear and keen, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon edged right, kept on
tracked leaders on inner, ridden 1f out, no extra towards finish
led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on strongly
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened well over 2f out
dwelt, held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
This looks a tough puzzle with only 5lb separating the field on official ratings. Ceffyl Gwell and Christmas Aria are closely matched though the latter came out a length in front when third over C&D last month. However, the former had earlier beaten Hoover, Satin Love and Toms River Tess so is not easily dismissed. Never Never Land, Queen Of Cash and Sinfonico look dangerous with a recent run under their belts, but a speculative punt is taken on WATNEYA. Willie Haggas' filly had three subsequent winners behind when making an impressive winning debut over 6f at Redcar in October and looks a potentially smart filly in the making.
Azzoom (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong, last of 12, 23l behind Layla Jamil (9-0) at Chester 7f mdn fll stks (4) gf.
Ceffyl Gwell 5-2 (9-7) Tracked leading pair, edged right over 2f out, ridden to challenge winner when hung left inside final furlong, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 4, hd behind Shostakovich (9-3) at Ffos Las 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Christmas Aria (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Led, ridden 2f out, headed narrowly over 1f out, held when rider droped whip inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Indian Jack (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
El Djebena (IRE) 15-2 (8-7) Dwelt, chased leaders, headway over 2f out, soon hard driven, ran on to lead closing stages, won at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) fbs in Jan beating Fifth In Line (8-7) by nk, 4 ran.
Golden Taurus (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Held up in touch, headway halfway, every chance over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Iceblast (8-11) at Thirsk 6f 3yo stk 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Hoover 5-1 (8-12) Prominent, went 2nd after 1f, ridden and no impression when dropped to 3rd 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Ceffyl Gwell (8-8) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Queen Of Cash (IRE) 2-1 (9-6) Keen tracked leading pair, effort under stands' side rail when not enough room, soon switched right, ridden and no impression inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Apollo D'Negro (8-11) at Folkestone 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Satin Love (USA) 22-1 (8-11) Started very slowly, detatched in rear, never a factor, last of 13, 38l behind Lexi's Hero (9-7) at Chester 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Sinfonico (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) Raced keenly, led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 7l behind Malice Or Mischief (9-2) at Chepstow 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Toms River Tess (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Ran loose before start, chased leading pair, effort on inside 2f out, soon driven and outpaced, last of 3, 4 1/2l behind Kingscroft (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Watneya 7-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, headway halfway, switched right to challenge over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, edged left, readily, won at Redcar 6f 2yo fll mdn (5) gd in Oct beating Cootehill Lass (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Never Never Land 6-1 (9-2) Soon crossed over from wide draw to chase leading pair, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, beaten when edged right inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 8l behind Rossetti (9-4) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
