in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
raced wide, mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
very slowly away, behind, never nearer
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased winner, ridden 2f out, weakened and lost 2nd place near finish
pulled hard, held up, never troubled leaders
held up towards rear, headway on rail approaching final furlong, ran on to take 2nd near finish
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, staying on inside final furlong when not clear run close home
close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
hampered soon after start and stumbled, soon in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
broke well, soon switched right to rail, made all, ridden out
squeezed out start, always in rear
Beverley Beau is the pick in the opener, with Leah's Pride, Davids Mark, Muktasb and Prime Recreation worth a mention at least. After the delights of the weekend at the Sunbury track, it is modest fayre today to say the least, and in the first race, only a small vote goes the way of Beverley Beau. The Linda Stubbs-trained four-year-old caught the eye when second at Wolverhampton after a six-week break, and as he led briefly with a furlong to go, the drop back to the minimum should be in his favour, as will his high draw. However, as he is still a maiden after 30 starts, he is by no means a good thing so is not one to put the mortgage on. Leah's Pride likes to lead but has not been getting home of late. She too though has a decent draw and is another to consider, while Davids Mark at least has the assistance of Eddie Ahern. Of the rest, both Muktasb and Prime Recreation have the form to take a hand, but will be anchored by their low draws. So, with more going for him than most, Beverley Beau is the pick.
Double M 25-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 12, 5l behind White Bear (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Muktasb (USA) 4-1fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Red Sovereign (8-13) at W'hampton 5f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
Leah's Pride 14-1 (9-2) Prominent, chased winner over 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Red Sovereign (8-13) at W'hampton 5f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
Renegade (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Soon led, hung badly right and wide into straight well over 1f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 5l behind Edin Burgher (8-11) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Forest Dane 9-1 (8-12) Close up, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead final 75 yards, won at Brighton 5f banded stk (7) gd in Oct beating Boanerges (9-0) by a nk, 16 ran.
Davids Mark 11-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 7l behind Desert Light (9-2) at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
Beverley Beau 40-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden 2f out, led just inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Desert Light (9-2) at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
College Queen 25-1 (9-0) Started slowly, outpaced, 12th of 13, 13l behind Red Sovereign (8-13) at W'hampton 5f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
