in touch and led after 2f, ridden and headed halfway, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden along over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, driven and one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong
in touch, led halfway, ridden when headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt and towards rear, never troubled leaders
held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
prominent, ridden along halfway, effort when weakening over 2f out
mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression
in touch, ridden to lead 2f out, ran on final furlong
led, headed after 2f but remained in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
never better than mid-division
dwelt and was soon chasing leaders, ridden along over 3f out, soon weakened
Tsaroxy is never likely to pay back his whopping price tag however he can go some way towards it here by taking this race at the main expense of Tencendur, Spinning and Nuit Sombre. Howard Johnson has his horses running slightly better now and having been lucklessly campaigned over hurdles this winter, the selection will be glad to be back on the flat. He acts on any ground and with a decent pace likely to play to his strengths, he can come out on top. Nuit Sombre's best runs have come over slightly shorter but he still looks a major player given his level of consistency, whilst Boundless Prospect, Westport and Inside Story all come here fit and well from winter all-weather campaigns. Spinning has winning form at the track and a good pace will suit his hold-up style of racing; he looks a major player. Bid For Gold and Moheeb are both four-year-old's who may have more to give this season as they progress, whilst Middlemarch looks high enough in the weights now after a successful 2007. Tencendur looks the second string on jockey bookings and whilst he is on a fair mark, he may prefer quicker ground, whilst stablemate Chicken George is unexposed but he is unlikely to be rushed this season. A tough race for punters, but Tsaroxy gets our vote.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 7-2fav (9-1) Set good pace, headed over 5f out, led again over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 12l behind Painted Sky (9-0) at W'hampton 7f hcap (5) pol in Dec.
Middlemarch (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression, 15th of 19, 8l behind Fragrancy (9-4) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) gd in Oct.
Wovoka (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) In touch, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 13l behind Orpen Wide (9-1) at Haydock 1m hcap (4) gf in Sept.
Daaweitza 7-1 (8-13) Led to 5f out, stayed prominent, hampered on rail 3f out, soon behind, 9th of 10, 22l behind Just Bond (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 5-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, prominent after 3f, chased leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on, won at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs beating Rambling Socks (9-8) by 3l, 8 ran.
Westport 5-2 (9-2) In touch, effort over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 4th of 6, 3l behind Benllech (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcap (4) pol in Feb.
Shot To Fame (USA) 11-1 (8-12) Chased leader until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 17l behind Kinsya (9-6) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Oct.
Osteopathic Remedy (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders and keen, every chance and hung left approaching 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 11l behind Smokey Oakey (9-3) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Nov.
Tsaroxy (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) In touch, lost place over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Hawkit (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Tencendur (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Led, steady pace, quickened over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 8l behind Soul Mountain (9-4) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Chicken George (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) Raced centre, intouch, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Giant Slalom (8-13) at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Spinning 11-2 (9-7) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov beating Baan (9-5) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Bid For Gold 50-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 21, 9l behind Gunfighter (8-13) at Doncaster 7f app hcp (4) gf in Nov.
Moheebb (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) In touch, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 18l behind Kabeer (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
The Osteopath (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 10l behind Nuit Sombre (9-6) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
King of The Moors (USA) 16-1 (9-3) In touch, weakened well over 2f out, last of 6, 18l behind Rock Anthem (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Inside Story (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Ninth House (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol.
Kingsholm 14-1 (8-13) Tracked leader and keen, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 13l behind Morbick (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Thunderousapplause 66-1 (8-12) Prominent over 4f, 16th of 17, 14l behind Lady Grace (8-12) at Newmarket 6f lst fll stk (1) sft in Oct.
Claret And Amber 15-2 (8-10) Prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 9l behind Denbera Dancer (8-5) at Southwell 1m hcap (4) fbs in Feb.
