pulled hard in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to take 2nd close home
held up mid-division, not clear run inside final 2f, soon ridden, one pace from over 1f out
held up 4th, chased leaders 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on same pace
towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leader, led over 2f out, pressed from over 1f out, ran on strongly towards finish
held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
raced keenly, soon led, headed narrowly over 2f out, pressed winner over 1f out to well inside final furlong, no extra, lost 2nd close home
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no headway and outpaced over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
The best race of the week on the all-weather can go to Happy As Larry ahead of Red Spell, Very Wise and Bahar Shumaal to name but three. Tim Pitt had a tremendous 2006, and is definitely a trainer to follow this year as well, so hopes are high that he can pay to support here as well with Happy As Larry. The five-year-old has been in terrific form in lower grade contests over the winter, and although stepping up in class here, he should have the ability to take a big hand in the finish, with the extra two furlongs not seen as a problem. Richard Hannon is double-handed with Orchard Supreme, a course winner upped in trip for the first time, and Red Spell who has what it takes to run well despite shouldering topweight. Wolverhampton winner Bahar Shumaal needs to raise his game to figure, while Fusili, just touched off at Kempton the time before last, will appreciate this drop back in trip after fading when tried over 12-furlongs here last week. The pace should be fast and furious, and that will suit Happy As Larry who is the one to beat.
Red Spell (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, ran on well final furlong, 2nd of 7, nk behind Hattan (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (2) pol.
Bahar Shumaal (IRE) 3-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 3f out, challenged well inside final furlong, all out and held on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec beating Vacation (7-9) by a shd, 9 ran.
Kindlelight Debut 7-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 3f out, one pace when hampered inside final furlong and rider lost whip, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Bahar Shumaal (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Orchard Supreme 3-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 1f out on outer, ridden to lead inside final furlong, asserted near finish, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec beating Secret Night (8-9) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Fusili (IRE) 6-1 (8-4) Tracked leader, ridden and effort over 2f out, no extra and stayed on one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Sri Diamond (9-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Happy as Larry (USA) 2-1fav (9-1) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Kabeer (8-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Very Wise 13-2 (8-2) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Gentleman's Deal (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
San Antonio 20-1 (8-12) Soon led, pushed along 3f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 7l behind Ceremonial Jade (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcap (3) pol in Oct.
