held up in rear, short of room over 3f out, headway and not clear run 2f out, soon switched right, ridden, stayed on to lead close home
tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden 2 lengths clear entering final furlong, caught close home
held up, headway over 2f out, soon not clear run, switched right to chase leaders, ridden and no impression final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to join winner 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
close up, soon pushed along, lost place over 4f out
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway on inside well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, pushed along over 4f out, outpaced over 3f out
raced wide, in touch, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, eased final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong
A poor contest here and a great opportunity for Norwegian to add to his tally, while Sonic Anthem, Bathwick Emma and Insignia are all also of interest. The selection is in great heart at present and has won three of his last six starts. Those who follow trends will note that on that basis he is due another win here, but irrespective of that he has plenty in his favour as a c&d winner who is consistent and simply looks too good for his opponents so we will make him a confident choice. Sonic Anthem has not been seen out for almost a year on the flat, though he has been kept going to some extent over timber. Some of his previous form would give him a clear chance here but at present he is passed over until we see some tangible return to form. Bathwick Emma is 8lb lower here than when winning over 9f at Wolverhampton in January but has not shown much since and is clearly held by the selection, while Insignia is also held by our nominee on their Wolverhampton running last month, now being 3lb worse off, and so the pick here for us is Norwegian.
Sonic Anthem (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, ridden 2f out, hampered over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 10th of 18, 9l behind Commitment Lecture (9-11) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Apr.
Norwegian 7-2 (8-10) Always prominent, ridden, every chance entering final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Our Kes (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Captain Bolsh 13-2 (10-10) Always behind, 10th of 13, 22l behind Danelor (11-1) at Southwell 1m 3f amt hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Tackcoat (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 16l behind Et Dona Ferentes (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Feb.
Bathwick Emma (IRE) 28-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 8l behind The City Kid (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol.
Methusaleh (IRE) 22-1 (8-8) Held up, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 9l behind Penang Cinta (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Insignia (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway on inside 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 23l behind The City Kid (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol.
Penwell Hill (USA) 20-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 19l behind Majehar (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
