held up mid-division, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace
led, headed over 3f out, faded final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, soon tracked leaders, kept on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, no impression
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, one pace
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
Jeff Pearce's Formidable Guest won well enough here last time and a 2lb rise for that success is perfectly fair but there were only three opponents for her that day and the mare may struggle in this larger field where there is likely to more pace on and it may be worth taking a chance with SLIP, who gets the vote ahead of Johnmanderville. The last mentioned was narrowly beaten in a claimer here last time and has every chance back in a handicap off what seems a fair mark. Noel Wilson's Ahlawy has similarly been running well in sellers and claimers of late and has been given a chance by the handicapper having been dropped 15lbs since his most recent start in the grade. Hannicean represents the in-form yard of Ian Williams and has to be respected having bounced back to winning ways when successful here last time but a 3lb rise for that short-head win looks harsh. Pat Eddery's Buddy Holly may come on for his recent reappearance at Kempton but he needs to and preference is for Tim Vaughan's Slip, who has slipped to a fair mark, was not disgraced when last seen in December and comes from a yard that can get one ready after an absence.
Buddy Holly 16-1 (9-5) Tracked winner, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 10l behind Tripitaka (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Johnmanderville 7-1 (9-2) Tracked winner until over 6f out, ridden to chase winner again over 3f out, no impression from over 1f out, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Gaily Noble (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
Ahlawy (IRE) 9-4 (8-3) Mid-division, headway to lead 2f out, ridden and headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Shakalaka (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (5) pol.
Slip 16-1 (9-4) Close up, improved to dispute 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, last of 5, 4 1/2l behind Aurorian (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Formidable Guest 3-1 (9-1) Held up, not far away, took closer order 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon in command, idled near finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f fll hcp (0-75) (5) pol beating Crazy Chris (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Boo 9-1 (9-0) Behind, some late headway, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 9l behind Thunderstruck (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Holiday Cocktail 33-1 (8-4) Held up in rear, never a factor, 12th of 15, 38l behind Veiled Applause (8-6) at York 1m 2f app hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Hannicean 12-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on to lead post, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating Alqaahir (8-13) by shd, 10 ran.
Harare 20-1 (8-12) Held up, headway 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 13, 19l behind Alfie Tupper (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Sep '08.
Escardo (GER) (8-7) 2nd of 3 Abacco (8-9) at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 1f hcp sft in May.
