chased leaders, outpaced halfway
unruly stalls, chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong
reared start, slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression
chased winner, ridden, every chance and hung right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on inside final furlong
outpaced, ran on final furlong, gaining near finish
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened approaching final furlong
made most, ridden and edged left approaching final furlong, all out
slowly into stride, outpaced, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer
Head To Head is given the nod here over The Geester and Perlachy. Peter Grayson contunues in excellent form and Head To Head can give him another succes in this weak contest. This son of Mull Of Kintye showed much improved form when a close up third behind the progressive Belvedere Vixen last time out and a similar effort today should be enough. The Geester ened last year with an excellent second behind New York Oscar. That winner has been successful since and so the form does have a solid look about it. Perlachy is still a maiden but has shown plenty of ability and is steadily dropping down the handicap. Meanwhile Merlins Quest is not out of it despite top-weight. All in all a tricky contest but the form of the stable sways us towards Head To Head.
Merlins Quest 7-2 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace final furlong, 8th of 11, 5l behind Baytown Paikea (9-0) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Nov.
The Geester 25-1 (8-7) Dwelt, close up, chased winner 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind New York Oscar (9-0) at Southwell 5f 2yo mdn auc (5) fbs in Dec.
Minimum Fuss (IRE) 50-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden over 1f out, every chance final furlong, no extra, 5th of 9, 4l behind Para Siempre (9-3) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Jan.
Head To Head (IRE) 22-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Belvedere Vixen (8-7) at W'hampton 5f 3yo clm (6) pol.
Perlachy 20-1 (8-0) In touch, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 5l behind Rebel Duke (9-4) at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Feb.
The Bronx 11-2 (9-3) Always in rear, wide into straight, outpaced over 1f out, last of 7, 3 1/2l behind Rocker (8-10) at Kempton 5f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Moonlight Applause 16-1 (8-12) Keen, held up, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 11l behind Annemasse (9-3) at Southwell 6f 3yo mdn (5) fbs in Feb.
Pretty Selma 16-1 (7-11) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up, ridden over 2f out, found little, hung left and weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 7l behind Belvedere Vixen (8-7) at W'hampton 5f 3yo clm (6) pol.
