held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, all out
prominent, lost place over 3f out, eased 2f out
in touch, lost place halfway, headway over 1f out, never on terms
slowly into stride, pushed along in rear, struggling 3f out, headway when not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, ran on, nearest finish
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, soon one pace
held up in touch, driven to challenge over 3f out, lost place well over 1f out
led, hard driven over 3f out, strongly challenged over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
The in-form GHUFA can continue on his merry way if his recent exertions haven't taken a toll; Chincoteague and Valdan are others worthy of consideration. The last named has Kieren Fallon booked for the ride and, fresh from a burst of winners over the last week, the former champion jockey seems to be getting the best out of everything he teams up with just now. Valdan makes his first start for his new yard today and it remains to be seen whether the change of scenery and the booking of Fallon proves to be a winning combination. Chincoteague starts her handicap career on a fair mark and, as she is sure to have benefitted from her reappearance last month, Brian Meehan's filly is one to seriously consider if the betting vibes are right. However, Ghufa has a very likeable attitude and, as he seems to be going from strength to strength at the moment, this battle-hardened six-year-old is taken as the one to be with here.
Valdan (IRE) 14-1 (7-13) Held up behind, headway over 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Prince Picasso (8-6) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Seventh Cavalry (IRE) 5-1fav (9-1) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never reached leaders, 8th of 16, 9l behind Make Amends (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Chincoteague (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, not clear run briefly over 1f out, one pace, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 7l behind Ugalla (7-13) at Lingfield 1m 3f mdn stks (5) gf.
Two Oclock John 11-2 (9-9) Slightly slow start, held up in rear, headway on outside over 5f out, wide and lost place entering straight, edged left well over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 10l behind My Mate Max (9-11) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Ghufa (IRE) 4-1 (8-2) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside going well over 4f out, 2nd 3f out, led over 2f out, pushed along and always doing enough inside final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Elite Land (8-11) by nk, 12 ran.
Carter 4-1 (9-4) Led after 3f, headed 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 10l behind Cozy Tiger (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Dubai Gem 6-1 (9-1) Mid-division, driven along over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 11, 28l behind On Terms (9-2) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Megalala (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Never better than mid-division, 6th of 13, 9l behind Thunderstruck (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Spinning Waters 7-2fav (8-13) Held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 13l behind Bedarra Boy (8-5) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fm.
