close up, ridden 3 out, soon one pace
held up mid-division, headway after 6th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 4th, ridden and weakened before 3 out
held up, mistake 1st and 3rd, pulled up before next
in touch, lost place 4th, behind next, ridden and kept on again from 2 out
held up, ridden 6th, never nearer
keen in touch, mistake 7th, soon lost touch
slowly away, reluctant to race, mistake 3rd, some headway 5th, slow next, never dangerous
held up, mistake 3rd, behind from 5th
chased leaders, headway to chase leader 2 out, effort to lead last, ran on
chased leader until approaching 2 out, soon weakened and blundered last
held up, ridden after 6th, headway after 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, kept on
held up mid-division, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous
led, ridden 4 lengths clear and mistake 2 out, headed last, no extra
A very open contest can go to Sean Og, with A Double Ewe Bee, Bathwick Rox and Perky Peaks just three others on the shortlist. The selection put up a much improved effort to finish runner-up at Leicester sixteen days ago and if this race doesn't come too soon, he must hold leading claims. He looked all-over the winner that day but was just found out up the run in, however if he is ridden with a little more restraint today he should go close. This is certainly A Double Ewe Bee's level and he has had some success in similar contests in the past, so must hold every chance. However he was pulled up on his only visit to this track previously so cannot be truly fancied today. Bathwick Rox is consistent enough but ultimately couldn't finish better than third on his last drop into this company so is passed over, as is Perky Peaks who was only a distant third when last seen in December. Perhaps of more interest could be Needwood Spirit. He is the only course and distance winner in the field and should appreciate the drop back to the bare two miles today. Ultimately this isn't a strong contest, and we will reluctantly return to Sean Og to get his head in front.
Major Jon (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Led until approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 13th of 14, 31l behind Helen Wood (10-5) at Leicester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
A Double Ewe Bee 7-2 (10-3) Behind, headway 5th, chased winner 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakened flat, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Blackthorn (11-3) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Sean Og (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Held up good headway on outside to lead 3 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Viscount Rossini (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov clm hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Bathwick Rox (IRE) 13-2 (10-5) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Final Bid (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Needwood Spirit 16-1 (11-4) Prominent, weakened approaching 6th, 9th of 12, 20l behind Southern Bazaar (10-1) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gd.
Princess Stephanie 11-1 (11-0) Prominent until ridden and weakened approaching 5th, tailed off from next, 10th of 12, well behind Stoneyford Ben (11-6) at Stratford 2m amt hcp hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Kova Hall (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened after, 11th of 16, 26l behind Femme D'avril (9-13) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Arabie 100-1 (11-4) Prominent, led after 3rd, mistake and headed 4th, weakened 3 out, 11th of 17, well behind Monfils Monfils (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Alasil (USA) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led narrowly 5th, headed next, soon beaten, 7th of 12, 27l behind Better Moment (11-7) at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb '06.
Queen Tara 33-1 (10-8) In rear, slow jump, jinked left on landing and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Tanzanite Dawn (10-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Perky Peaks (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened after 5th, plugged on, 3rd of 10, well behind City of Manchester (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Mialyssa 100-1 (10-5) Led to 2nd, chased leader, hit next, weakened quickly 5th, 10th of 12, 34l behind Kings Quay (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Maria Bonita (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Always behind, tailed off, 15th of 18, well behind Tanzanite Dawn (11-8) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Explode 16-1 (9-9) Mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Diamond Vein (10-8) at Wetherby 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs, 8 ran.
