mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression
always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden and one pace final 2f
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up in touch, ridden 2f out, not pace to challenge
held up in rear, switched right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out
towards rear, never nearer
towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on
held up, not clear run from 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders over 4f
slowly into stride, towards rear, not clear run 2f out, switched left, kept on, never dangerous
slowly into stride, towards rear, soon ridden, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
close up, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out
A typically tough way to start a cracking card at Newmarket and plenty have sound claims on what they have achieved up to press. The shortlist includes: Free Tip, a game winner despite hanging on his reappearance at Doncaster, Secret Place, who showed a good level of progression last term, and previous course and distance winner Hezam, whose yard are on the crest of a wave at the moment. The lightly raced Iffraaj and Oasis Star are others to note in the betting and are capable of putting in bold displays if they have trained on. However, marginal preference is for Mahmoom, who also created a very good profile for himself in winning two of his three starts last year. The son of Dr Fong is a scopey individual that was not over-faced during his juvenile campaign and showed his versatility when easing away from his two rivals when he last visited this course. That outing may have been something of an experiment with the Mahmoom but he answered every question asked of him as he coasted to an unchallenged victory. The only reservation outstanding to consider about the selection is his true ability to see out the trip, but Mick Channon still has the option of returning here for the Ultimatebet.com 2000 Guineas in just over a fortnight if everything goes to plan today. Mahmoom's sire had a similar build up to his career when he won a valuable prize here on only his third ever start and, considering that he improved as he stepped up in trip, there is no reason to expect that Mahmoom cannot go close to repeating history today. Free Tip may not have the room to manoeuvre if he needs to get to a rail from stall 13 and he looks to be one to have reservations about this afternoon. As does Secret Place, who will be seen on turf for the first time here. Therefore, it may be worth chancing Iffraaj as the biggest danger to Mahmoom if the slow start to the season made by the Channon team is too off-putting for each way players
