mid-division, ridden 5th, no real headway, weakened approaching 3 out
made all, clear 3 out, not fluent 2 out, 10 lengths ahead last, ridden out
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, no extra 3 out, weakened before next
prominent, chased winner 3 out until before next, went 10 lengths 2nd again last, stayed on, no impression
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, some headway 3 out, never on terms, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner before next, lost 10 length 2nd last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, weakening when not fluent 3 out, tailed off
prominent, jumped right 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, pushed along 4th, ridden and well beaten after next, tailed off
The longer trip may have been to blame for DUBAI CREST's shocking effort at Taunton in December. Given a couple of months off to recover, he's only 4lb higher than when a comfortable winner over this trip at Doncaster earlier and the ground is back in his favour. He gets the vote but there are plenty of dangers including Musselburgh second Ebanour and the lightly-weighted King Zeal, who may still be improving. Orzare has to concede weight all round but is a C&D winner and may have found his latest Ascot run coming too soon following a promising return to action at the same track. Sire Collonges could also be interesting if the market speaks in his favour after a lay-off but Balgarry has been off the track even longer and Zafranagar looks held on the form book.
Orzare (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Always rear-division, never involved, tailed off, 17th of 18, well behind Bourne (9-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Balgarry (FR) 7-1 (10-5) won at Clairefontaine(FR) 2m 2f hdl sft in Aug '10 beating Starimperial (10-7) by 8l, 17 ran.
Sire Collonges (FR) 8-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, some headway before 2 out, one pace and held when fell last, in a race won by Russian War (10-1) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr, 22 ran.
Dubai Crest 13-2 (10-8) Held up behind on inside, headway 7th, outpaced on outside 3 out, never on terms, weakened from next, 9th of 10, well behind Arab League (10-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Nampour (FR) 12-1 (9-9) Took keen hold, held up until fell 3rd, in a race won by Sire De Grugy (11-6) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
Zafranagar (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, 5th and ridden approaching 3 out, weakened flat, 7th of 13, 11l behind Stormy Weather (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Feb.
Rebel Dancer (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Held up behind, some headway on inside approaching 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 10, 15l behind Lucaindubai (11-4) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.
Ebanour (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistakes 7th and 8th, chased winner after next, ridden before 3 out, well held from 2 out, flattered by proximity, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Cross Of Honour (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Looks Like Slim 4-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Chesil Beach Boy (10-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
King Zeal (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Led, jumped right, not fluent 2nd, dived at next, edged right and headed when not fluent last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Sophonie (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan.
Manshoor (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders early, mid-division, hit 2nd, weakened from 3 out, 12th of 17, 26l behind Monarch's Way (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
