prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on close home
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong
with winner, ridden and every chance from 2f out, unable to quicken near finish
raced in rear, never troubled leader
made virtually all, driven out
dwelt, towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
steadied start, soon switched left, headway halfway, ridden and effort approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
There are plenty in with chances in the sprint, with a shortlist including Devon Flame, Mr Malarkey and Sparkling Jewel, with the vote going to Devon Flame. Prior to a disappointing defeat at Bath last time, the selection had looked progressive when scoring at Windsor. Ok, we basing much of our assessment on the fact that his trainer thinks a great deal of him, but we'll trust to that for now and take him to get back to winning ways. Mr Malarkey is the sole course and distance winner in the line-up and confirmed that he can run well from around his current mark when third in a competitive race at York last time. Currency scored from a one-pound lower mark at Chepstow last summer, and is the type to pop up from time to time, while Golden Bounty, one of two Richard Hannon runners, won from a much higher mar two years ago and made some late headway at Chepstow last time. Hannon's other runner is the lightly raced Sparkling Jewel, who ran well in a first-time visor despite being squeezed for room close home last time, and looks set to go well again, Of the others, the one-time 107 rated Prince Dayjur would need the first-time visor to work wonders for him while the evergreen Astrac looks held by three or four of his opponents. As we say, it's tricky, but we will opt for Devon Flame.
