with leader, ridden and every chance when hung left over 1f out, not look resolute, no extra inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
broke well, lost place and dropped to rear after 1f, ridden and headway entering final furlong, never dangerous
in rear, pushed along halfway, stayed on towards finish, never near leaders
dwelt, soon mid-division, pushed along and headway over 1f out, effort and switched left inside final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, ridden to lead and hung right over 1f out, headed towards finish
in rear, pushed along halfway, headway entering final furlong, ran on close home
slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders after 1f, ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, driven, edged left, ran on to lead towards finish
This is a poor contest in terms of quality to start the afternoon's proceedings but competitive with plenty of the 15 runners having claims, including Sir Loin, Lady Bahia and Meikle Barfil but it is the consistent 11-year-old TABOOR that gets the verdict. Robert Cowell's gelding is 2lbs lower than when last successful and has solid claims on recent form, having not been beaten far behind Nawaaff at Wolverhampton last time and a reproduction of that effort may well suffice. Topweight Our Fugitive faces no easy task giving weight away all round, while She's Our Beauty showed some promise last time but needs to step up on her overall form to trouble the judge. Sir Loin, a winner at Kempton last month, is seemingly better there than on this Polytrack surface, while Meikle Barfil has dropped to a decent mark but only one win from 30 starts is a concern. Lady Bahia has slipped to a fair mark and gave signs of a return to form at Kempton last time so she has to be considered but preference is for Taboor.
Our Fugitive (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) With leader, led over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 13, 18l behind Muktasb (11-4) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Sir Loin 14-1 (9-3) Pulled hard, led 1f, chased leader after, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 5l behind Hollow Jo (9-5) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Forever Changes 12-1 (8-11) Broke well, soon steadied to mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 12, 12l behind Hollow Jo (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcap (6) pol in Feb.
Taboor (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, came wide entering straight, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Nawaaff (8-11) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Affirmatively 14-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, raced keenly in rear, not much room on inside over 3f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, challenged entering final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 4th of 12, 1l behind Nawaaff (8-11) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-.
Ishibee (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) In touch, chased leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Hollow Jo (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Meikle Barfil 25-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 1f out, no impression on leaders, stayed on one pace, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Welsh Opera (8-9) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
She's Our Beauty (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Grimes Faith (8-12) at Southwell 5f sll (6) fbs in Feb.
Ramblin Bob 20-1 (9-7) Always in rear, last of 12, 11l behind Sharps Gold (9-4) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb.
Lady Bahia (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong, not paced to challenge, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Hollow Jo (9-5) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
