in touch until weakened 3 out, soon beaten
led, ridden approaching last, headed and no extra flat
held up, ridden and chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened from approaching last
mid-division, 5th and held when fell 3 out
mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened from last
prominent and jumped right throughout, outpaced and lost place 3 out, soon ridden, 4th at last, driven and rallied to lead close home
mid-division, tracked leaders approaching 4 out, smooth headway to lead flat, ridden and headed close home
prominent until weakened 3 out, soon beaten
always towards rear, beaten from 4 out
James Ewart's BEST LOVER has done little wrong in two starts and this looks an easier assignment for him to break the maidens tag with Spellchecker looking the best matched and Singing Wizard could also figure in the shake up. Best Lover has been second best on both his two starts so far and perhaps found two miles a little sharp. With that in mind he should be suited by the extra yardage and the form from the pair of starts is strong enough to win this combined with the expected further improvement. We also expect some improvement from Spellchecker who has been there or there abouts in recent starts. The form from his last outing has been franked with a winner rated at 117, which would have Spellchecker close to the selection. Singing Wizard has been solid in three starts over hurdles but would have something to find to beat the pick while there's a suggestion that Mr Bond is finding some form but he also would have to improve to beat the selection who is Best Lover.
Ashtonmore 250-1 (10-7) pulled up 5 out in race won by Ockey de Neulliac (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Best Lover (FR) 6-5fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, headway to lead after 4 out, ridden and headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Magellan Straits (10-13) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Leo's Quest 33-1 (11-1) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 4th of 7, 14l behind Saveiro (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Mr Bond (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up, headway after 4 out to go 3rd, ridden and blundered 2 out, not fluent last, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 11, 24l behind Abstinence (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Sam Patch 14-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden and close up over 3f out, one pace after, 5th of 12, 11l behind Russian War (10-11) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gd in Jul.
Singing Wizard 13-2 (10-12) Led, hit 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 3l behind Rood Report (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Aug '07.
Spellchecker (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led and soon clear, 10 lengths clear approaching 3 out, ridden after next, soon headed and weakened, 4th of 13, 24l behind Divers (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Sylvan Oak (IRE) 150-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, effort 8th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Tarablaze (11-11) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Tyrrhenian 14-1 (11-3) Held up, headway and in touch 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 11, 20l behind Lie Forrit (11-1) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Amulree 200-1 (10-8) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 13th of 16, well behind Steady Tiger (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
