soon led, ridden and headed 5f out, kept on but no chance with first 2
mid-division, headway over 4f out, chased winner over 3f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway 3f out, never nearer
tracked leaders, chased leader over 6f out, led 5f out, ridden clear over 2f out, kept on under pressure
chased leader until over 6f out
mainly towards rear
chased leaders over 7f
behind from 5 out
close up, lost place 4f out, headway when not clear run approaching 3f out, soon one pace
in touch, ridden and weakened 4f out
in rear, some headway on outer over 5f out, never near leaders
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4f out
dwelt, always in rear
One or two of the usual suspects on view but Schinken Otto looks the obvious selection against Maria Antonia and Simply St Lucia. Schinken Otto is pretty reliable at this level as his recent form suggests and if he can reproduce his form at this track, he has to have every chance of putting up a third success on the bounce. Maria Antonia won a poor seller at this track in good fashion although worryingly there was no bid for her. The mare has won three times over the trip and has to be a factor. Simply St Lucia could be well treated on old form. She won a dire affair at Hamilton last season but had previously obliged off a mark of 61 on turf. Sovietta is less exposed than most on the artifical surfaces and is one to note in the market. Cragganmore Creek has questions to answer after a bitterly disappointing run on his latest start. Ronsard has edged down the weights after a couple of no shows whilst long standing maiden, Candy Anchor, could have been counted as a little unlucky at Wolverhampton last week. A moderate opener in which the in-form Schinken Otto is taken to land the spoils.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Started very slowly, headway to lead after 2f, pressed over 1f out, asserted inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Kempton 1m 3f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Ndola (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Maria Antonia (IRE) 11-4 (8-9) Keen, held up, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs in Jan beating Kanisorn (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Speed Dial Harry (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Some late progress, 6th of 11, 10l behind Morbick (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Ronsard (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Slowly away, in rear, ridden and headway approaching 3f out, soon one pace, 4th of 11, 12l behind Tioga Gold (9-11) at Southwell 1m 6f amt hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
Cragganmore Creek 11-8fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Zaffeu (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Jan.
Simply St Lucia 6-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 8, 18l behind Make Haste (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Jul.
Sovietta (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) In rear, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 10, 5l behind Dark Parade (9-9) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Candy Anchor (FR) 11-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 3f out, stayed on take 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Wizard of Us (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Mi Odds 28-1 (8-9) In rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace final 2f, 5th of 14, 10l behind Contra Mundum (9-6) at Southwell 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Jan.
Ashmolian (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Took keen hold in mid-division, ridden well over 1f out, soon no impression, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Schinken Otto (10-11) at Kempton 1m 3f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
By Storm 15-2 (8-2) Led, headed after 1f, in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 13l behind Blue Empire (8-12) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Jan.
Pure Brief (IRE) 66-1 (7-5) Slowly into stride, always behind, 10th of 13, 48l behind Kent (9-2) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-70 (E) gd in Jul '02.
Telling 12-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon driven along, headway over 5f out, ridden and edged left 4f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 23l behind Epidaurian King (9-6) at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Katie Kingfisher 12-1 (9-7) Slowly away, in rear and keen, headway halfway, chased winner over 3f out, one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 14l behind Cragganmore Creek (10-0) at Southwell 2m amt hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
