led up behind, mid-division, headway 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression and weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner 2f out, no impression and weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, never in contention
tracked leaders on outer to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inside, ridden and effort over 2f out, not quicken, kept on one pace
held up, brief effort over 2f out, not reached leaders and weakened over 1f out
tracked winner to over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up, steady headway 2f out, went second approaching final furlong, stayed on, gaining near finish, just held
made all, led and set good pace, stayed alone towards far side, two lengths clear 1f out, ran on strongly under pressure, held on well near finish
took keen hold towards rear, struggling over 3f out, well behind final 2f
always rear group, never a factor
held up mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten
The hat-trick seeking pair of Liberally and Moves Goodenough are big players, as are last-time-out scorers Mildoura and Wiggy Smith, but preference is for BLACK RAIN. Michael Wigham is back on the trainers list after a spell on the sidelines and Black Rain may be a good return. The progressive four-year-old was last seen finishing second to Bois Joli at Wolverhampton in October and a return to the turf is expected to suit so his first start for the yard may be victorious. Angel Rock is one of several winners in the line-up who has a first start of the season and the market will help guide as to how fit he is, comments that also apply to Liberally. Moves Goodenough has been in fair form this winter over hurdles and is a strong traveller who looks sure to give a bold sighter despite a much higher mark. Invasion is rated better than his latest run and has been given a break since, Trans Siberian should improve for a recent comeback outing, whilst Foolin Myself has been off the track for a year-and-a-half and the market will help guide to his chance. Henry Candy had a winner on Thursday so Wiggy Smith must be considered, especially if the market agrees, however for the selection we are happy to return to Black Rain.
Foolin Myself 11-8fav (9-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 3f out, edged left 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Nov '07 beating Tartan Bearer (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Trans Siberian 4-1 (9-3) Took keen hold in touch, ridden, effort 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Light From Mars (8-13) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Martyr 6-1 (9-6) Held up, steady headway 6f out, ridden over 2f out, not clear run 1f out, plugged on again, 6th of 11, 8l behind Tomintoul Flyer (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Angel Rock (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, driven out, won at Nottingham 1m hcap (4) hvy in Oct beating Rhadegunda (9-3) by nk, 7 ran.
Moves Goodenough 9-1 (9-2) In touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear, won at Bath 1m app hcp (5) gs in Oct beating Prairie Storm (9-4) by 6l, 13 ran.
Liberally (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, hard driven over 2f out, stayed on under strong pressure inside final furlong, led near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Aug beating Title Role (9-4) by nk, 13 ran.
Black Rain 7-2fav (9-1) In touch, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on to press winner well inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Bois Joli (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Kidlat 15-2 (9-13) Chased leader, ridden 3f out, edged right well over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 8l behind Lively Fling (8-7) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf.
Mildoura (FR) 13-2 (9-4) Steadied start, held up, keen, headway over 2f out, led just inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Folkestone 1m 4f fll hcp (0-75) (5) gs in Mar beating Munlochy Bay (8-9) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Invasian (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Dwelt, soon driven to lead, clear until 5f out, headed 3f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, well behind Folio (8-7) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Holden Eagle 28-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway 2f, every chance approaching final furlong, edged left and kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 1l behind Spring Goddess (9-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f ldy hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Princess Flame (GER) 8-1 (9-6) Led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, weakened, 5th of 6, 9l behind Mildoura (9-4) at Folkestone 1m 4f fll hcp (0-75) (5) gs in Mar.
Danetime Panther (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) In rear, some progress from over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 7l behind Light From Mars (8-13) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Regional Counsel 10-1 (8-12) Tracked winner, ridden an effort 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 4l behind Mr Aviator (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcap (3) pol in Mar '08.
Basra (IRE) 9-4 (9-4) In touch, ridden and switched right approaching final furlong, no impression, 4th of 6, 4l behind Royal Amnesty (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Wiggy Smith 14-1 (9-8) Behind, headway over 2f out, hard driven and ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Leicester 1m 2f hcap (5) gd in Oct beating Night Orbit (8-12) by 1l, 16 ran.
