led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, gradually weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride and always behind
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, good headway up centre of the track to have every chance over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
behind, reminders after 3f, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead well over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra inside
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
slowly into stride and soon mid-division, ridden and chased leaders over 3f out, kept on to lead entering final furlong, driven out
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
A competitive claimer with Defi, Truly Fruitful and Penel the trio for the shortlist and we are with Defi. Linda Perratt's team have been in fair form during the winter and though Defi has been beaten on the artifical surfaces, he is a much more realistic betting proposition on the turf and if fit enough, he should go close. Truly Fruitful is best in on official figures. He stays further than this and the market is watched in order to give an effective appraisal of his chances. Penel has it to do on the book but Paul Midgeley's yard has been in rude health of late and the seven-year-old could surprise a few people today. Scottys Future has become something of a regular at this grade. Lago D'Orta seems best on genuinely fast ground and has tongue tie and first time cheekpieces. Karaburan had modest form from Germany before joining Peter Monteith. A moderate affair that can go the way of Defi.
Defi (IRE) 5-2 (9-5) Tracked leader until over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened and eased final furlong, last of 3, 11l behind Dushstorm (9-2) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol in Feb.
Karaburan (GER) (9-2) 8th of 10, more than 3l behind Kyoto (8-11) at Hannover 1m 3f mdn stk gd in Sept.
Lago d'Orta (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 7l behind Defi (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m clm (6) gd in Nov.
Nevinstown (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 6l behind Ceris Star (8-6) at W'hampton 7f app stk (7) pol in Oct.
Pianoforte (USA) 5-1 (8-11) In touch, chased leader over 2f out, no extra and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 15l behind Naughty Thoughts (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol.
Scotty's Future (IRE) 66-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, soon well behind, never on terms, 5th of 9, 20l behind Smokey Oakey (9-3) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Nov.
Top Jaro (FR) 12-1 (8-13) Led stand's side group, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Crocodile Bay (9-7) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
Truly Fruitful (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 3l behind Benandonner (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept '06.
Friends Hope 7-2 (9-12) Slowly into stride, held up, raced keenly, hampered on inside 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 11l behind Fresh Mint (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Slivovic (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) In touch, mistake 2nd, hit 5th, weakened from next and pulled up 3 out in race won by How's Business (10-10) at Wetherby 2m 4yo fll hdl (5) gs in Feb, 10 ran (N.Hunt).
Sparky Vixen 14-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden 2f out, not pace to challenge over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind General Feeling (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Penel (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Soon outpaced and always rear, last of 8, 19l behind Wodhill Gold (8-13) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
