held up towards rear, outpaced and not much room over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never on terms
held up in rear, short of room over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never able to challenge
made all, soon clear, ridden over 1f out, unchallenged
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked clear leader, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
broke well, soon held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
A tricky race to call but we will give the tentative vote to Marias Dream with One Night in Paris and Corlough Mountain both worth noting. The selection has had a lay off for a few months since winning back to back races over in his native Ireland. He has been very versatile during his career winning over various distances and on the flat and jumps. The one thing he has not done though is run on the all weather which may count against him. Having said that connections would not have brought him all the way from Ireland for the sake of having a run so any market moves should be noted in the betting market. One Night in Paris has course and distance winning form to his name. His latest win at Woverhampton was a fair effort but he was a beaten favourite there last time out and with this race looking more competitive, place claims are more likely to be on the cards. Corlough Mountain is only two pounds higher for a course and distance win last time out over seven furlongs. The extra furlong will not pose as a problem so he has to given given respect in an open contest. But for the winner we return to the Irish raider Marias Dream.
One Night In Paris (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) Led, ridden, headed over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Abbondanza (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Ninth House (USA) 5-2fav (9-1) Mid-division, headway to lead 1f out, quickened inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m app clm (6) pol in Dec beating Northern Desert (8-8) by 1l, 10 ran.
Monkey Glas (IRE) 7-2 (8-9) Led until headed over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Red Romeo (8-13) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Marias Dream (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Held up, headway on outer 3f out, 7th 2f out, 4th early straight, ran on well to lead close home, won at Galway 1m hcp 0-70 gs in Aug beating Rising Force (9-10) by 1l, 18 ran.
Happy as Larry (USA) 3-1jt-fav (9-2) Held up, hampered over 2f out, headway inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Arthur's Edge (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol.
Nicada (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Held up behind mid-division, ridden and no progress final 2f, 9th of 14, 7l behind Smokin Joe (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Corlough Mountain 10-1 (9-1) Always prominent, ridden 2f out, led final 100 yards, won at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) pol in Dec beating Smokin Joe (9-10) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Meditation 20-1 (8-10) Led 2f, remained prominent, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 3/4l behind dhtrs Mutamaasek (8-8) & Kindlelight Blue (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) std.
