led early, tracked leader, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, weakened over 4f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never on terms
soon led, driven and headed over 1f out, soon hampered by winner, kept on same pace closing stages
raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon hung left under pressure, ran on well
mid-division, headway over 6f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge
always behind
mid-division, took keen hold, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, every chance over 2f out, soon hung left and faded
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
held up in rear, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, soon weakened
pulled hard, tracked leaders, lost place over 4f out
Newport Arch and Lifetime are the pair with fitness advantages after competing on the all-weather where the former enjoyed a fine time of things, delivering a string of reliably consistent performances. It all depends if he proves as good back on turf against stronger rivals. Grey Command is very useful in this grade on his day but the impression is that stable inmates are tending to need their first run of the season. A chance is therefore taken with POKFULHAM, a fair dual purpose sort for the Goldie team, a number of whose runners showed up well at Musselburgh last weekend. Effective on all surfaces, he rates a value option off a fair mark. Vittachi came good at the back end last term after not showing overly much in the early stages of the season. He will be a live contender if able to reproduce that improved level on this first run back.
Grey Command (USA) 6-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, under pressure over 4f out, lost place over 2f out, soon eased, 9th of 10, 37l behind Chookie Hamilton (9-9) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Newport Arch 4-1 (8-12) Raced wide in touch, headway to chase leader over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Southern State (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Magic Echo 25-1 (9-9) Dwelt, always in rear, last of 8, 22l behind Follow The Flag (9-6) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Goodness 20-1 (8-10) Chased leaders until lost place and in last trio 8f out, never on terms after, 7th of 9, 12l behind Ivan Vasilevich (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.
Lifetime (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Led 1f, tracked leader until ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 14l behind Southern State (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Pokfulham (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, effort over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 4, 2l behind River Dragon (9-2) at Ayr 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) hvy in Oct.
Vittachi 6-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway from over 4f out to lead 3f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Appeal (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Dzesmin (POL) 14-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, switched right over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 8l behind Damascus Symphony (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
Madrasa (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) In rear and keen, headway over 3f out, soon not much room, ridden to chase winner 2f out, kept on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 12, hd behind Rose Of Sarratt (9-6) at Redcar 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Nov.
Silver Tigress 25-1 (8-10) Held up behind, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 20l behind Body Language (9-5) at Redcar 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
Srimenanti 50-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, weakened over 5f out,, 11th of 12, well behind Cadgers Brig (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
