tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, soon headed, one pace after
always towards rear
held up, ridden over 3f out, some late headway final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon led, kept on well
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon chased leaders, one pace final furlong
always behind
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
behind, ridden over 3f out, some late headway
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
This is an ultra competitive handicap and SIR XAAR looks very interesting here and has our selection ahead of Flores Sea and Strabinios King. Excuses can be made for the selection for his three poor runs towards the end of last season in terms off his high looking mark. His seasonal reappearance last time out in similar conditions over distance was much more like it and that came under this mark which is the same as his last winning rating. Flores Sea is up two pounds after getting beaten by a well handicapped runner from an inform stable last time out and although he is in fine fettle his recent best has come on fibresand and he looks to have plenty to do now back on a fast surface. Strabinios King ran well under this mark last time but is probably waiting for a favour from the handicapper before scoring again especially on ground which looks on the quick side. Captain Jacsparra looks like representing some value here off a really low looking mark and on his favoured ground is one to be with for an each-way play but to win this trappy looking contest we turn to Sir Xaar.
Commando Scott (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 13, 6l behind Galeota (9-6) at Doncaster 6f lsted stks (1) gf in Nov '07.
Jewelled Dagger (IRE) 7-2 (9-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 5, 5l behind Desert Dreamer (8-11) at Kempton 7f clm stks (5) pol in Jan.
Sir Xaar (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong, 4th of 10, 3/4l behind Mister Hardy (8-9) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Apr.
Mujaadel (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Tracked winner, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 7l behind Mahadee (8-10) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) In touch on outside, effort and driven along over 2f out, soon one pace, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 5l behind Mahadee (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Dabbers Ridge (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Prominent far side, one pace final 2f, 11th of 20, 9l behind Manassas (9-7) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
Hinton Admiral 13-2 (8-8) Slowly into stride, driven to lead over 6f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 10, 9l behind Flipando (8-13) at Great Leighs 1m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Captain Jacksparra (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, under pressure halfway, soon weakened, eased, last of 9, 38l behind Elisiario (8-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Apr.
Flores Sea (USA) 7-2fav (9-2) Dwelt, behind, chased leaders before halfway, hard driven and effort approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Elisiario (8-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Apr.
Strabinios King 6-4fav (8-13) Keen, led, ridden 2f out, soon 3 lengths clear, headed final 75 yards, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Gallantry (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcap (4) pol in Feb.
Esoterica (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 11, 5l behind Excusez Moi (9-4) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Jonny Lesters Hair (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden along over 2f out, not much room when weakening approaching final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Turn Me On (9-1) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
