always in rear, eased when no chance over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on same pace
soon led, ridden 2f out, headed just inside final furlong
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead just inside final furlong, ridden out
towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, kept on one pace
dwelt, ridden to chase leaders, weakened over 1f out
in touch, effort over 1f out, kept on to take second inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hampered 2f out
in touch over 6f
Xaloc Bay has the most consistent recent form and gets the vote over Burgundy, Fen Gypsy and Lucayan Monarch. Xaloc Bay was gaining his first success in nearly two years when scoring on Southwell's fibresand at the start of the month, and put in an eye-catching performance when making all here just five days ago. Both of his recent victories have been in selling company, but this is little better and it must be remembered that he was considered Listed class at one time during the early part of his career. He is not badly treated and should make a bold bid to add to his recent tally. Burgundy has been a regular here on the Polytrack and was successful in claiming company in December. He has a mind of his own though and Darryll Holland will have to show who is master early on if he is to give the selection a battle. Fen Gypsy is worse off at the weights with Burgundy for a recent meeting, so the latter should at least hold that rival, while Johnny Murtagh has his second ride on Lucayan Monarch. Now with Philip McEntee, he beat Xaloc Bay at Southwell in January and is actually better off at the weights, so will surely be there or thereabouts, but we still feel that Xaloc Bay, a tough sort, will take the beating.
