mid-division on outside, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, ran wide straight, never a factor
always behind
in touch, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong
led 1f, tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and kept on
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace
held up towards rear, kept on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon in touch, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, took keen hold in rear, never a factor
A tricky heat confronts us to conclude the card and once again lumping on does not look to be an option, and we will chance KHUN JOHN to score, with Jan Mayen, Alfie Tupper and Maximus Aurelius others to consider. The last-named comes from a yard in great form and given the lack of strength here that probably makes him a major player. He has gone well at the track before and sees out the trip well, and if you forgive him his latest run then it is not difficult to give him a decent chance. Alfie Tupper has won four times over course and distance and a couple of those have been from higher marks than today's. He was comfortably beaten last time but the return here may prove more fruitful and he is respected. Watch those bets because Alf Tupper also opposes and has a chance at the weights now dropped back to this trip. Market support would fuel confidence given his yard's record here. Jan Mayen has twice disappointed when sent off favourite after a promising debut and we'd like to see her produce more now before getting involved again. Seventh Hill should not be far away, while both Blue Eyed Eloise and Scary Movie return from lengthy absences and are fairly treated by the assessor, so money for them would probably be significant. That leads us to the selection, Khun John. Willie Musson's seven-year-old is 12lbs lower than his best winning mark, though that was a long time ago. However, there were still a couple of efforts last year that showed he retains some ability, he can go well when fresh, and he has winning course form, so now that he is able to race from a mark of 63 he might just be able to return to the winner's enclosure.
Foreign Investment (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Raced in last place, never a factor, last of 8, 7l behind Make Amends (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Maximus Aurelius (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Prominent, took keen hold, bumped 9f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 12, 18l behind Make Amends (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Singbella 8-1 (9-4) In touch, pushed along well over 2f out, effort when ridden and hung left inside final furlong, no impression when ridden and went right well inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Matjar (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Hector Spectre (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Held up in last pair 5f out, behind 2f out, 6th of 9, 7l behind Formidable Guest (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Khun John (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) In rear, never near leaders, 9th of 12, 9l behind Intersky Charm (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Alfie Tupper (IRE) 7-2fav (8-13) Mid-division, headway well over 1f out, soon no impression, 8th of 11, 5l behind Jeer (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Blue Eyed Eloise 4-1 (9-1) Held up, well in touch, smooth headway over 2f out, led 1f out, ran on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr '08 beating Kings Topic (8-11) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Scary Movie (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden and held when slightly hampered inside final furlong, switched right and no extra, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Long Distance (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Aug '08.
Seventh Hill 8-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden and headway to go 3rd over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Marmooq (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Naheell 10-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, not clear run 2f out, hampered soon after, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Turjuman (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Jan Mayen 2-1fav (9-7) Slowly into stride, tracked leader after 1f, challenged and every chance 2f out, kept on until one pace final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Dosti (8-5) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Feb.
Alf Tupper 16-1 (8-3) Tracked leading trio, pushed along 3f out, no impression when hung left over 1f out, 5th of 7, 10l behind Sedgwick (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f clm stks (5) pol in Feb.
New Beginning (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, badly hampered over 2f out, not recover, 8th of 10, 8l behind Granny Mcphee (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
