held up, always behind
behind until made some moderate late headway
hampered over 5f out, in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
switched right start, led on rail over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace
held up on rail, switched left and headway 2f out, soon driven, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong
hampered over 5f out, chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on until headed well inside final furlong
held up, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on under hands and heels riding inside final furlong
hampered over 5f out, chased leaders, ridden and switched left 2f out, stayed on same pace
Divine Power is the one to beat on official ratings, however stablemate Candida's Beau showed plenty of ability last year and whilst he may prefer a return to seven furlongs in due course, he is still fancied to come off best today. Ralph Beckett's gelding is qualified for handicaps now after three fair runs last season. He is yet to encounter turf but there is no reason to assume that this son of the useful Bertolini will not be at home. Stablemate Divine Power warrants plenty of respect, especially as she has some fair form on ground with some cut in. However connections seemed to be undecided as to what her optimum trip was last year; the market should help decide who is most fancied today. Chelsea Girl showed ability on her debut over the minimum trip at Sandown last season, and should be suited by today's longer trip, whilst Orange Pip ran a blinder on debut and if she has wintered well then she should go close. Priti Fabulous never looked like getting competitive on a recent debut but the stable's runners are often brought along slowly, so of more interest could be Captain Kir whose pedigree suggests that the rain will not hurt. An open race, where the betting will shed some further clues, however it is Candida's Beau who gets the nod.
Tagula Sands (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 11l behind Sion Hill (9-0) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Candida's Beau 7-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind Sir George (9-3) at Lingfield 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Apr.
Owain James Dancing Spree gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Robbmaa (FR) 25-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon beaten, 6th of 14, 9l behind Lord Peter Flint (9-0) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Oct.
Sir Ike (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 13, 11l behind Corrybrough (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Chelsea Girl 4-1 (9-0) Pressed winner to 2f out, every chance, weakened quickly over 1f out, 10th of 11, 6l behind Presto Levanter (9-0) at Sandown 5f 2yo mdn (5) sft.
Divine Power 7-2fav (9-0) Led until headed inside final furlong, soon outpaced, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Malibu Girl (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Oct.
Orange Pip 8-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden halfway, hampered over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Incomparable (9-3) at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Nov.
Priti Fabulous (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Steadied rear, always behind, 8th of 11, 12l behind Musical Bar (9-0) at Newbury 7f 3yo mdn fll (4) gs in Apr.
Smooth As Silk (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 5th of 13, 8l behind Presbyterian Nun (9-0) at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gf in Sept.
Captain Kir (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 1f out, 13th of 14, 12l behind Hobson (8-9) at Bath 5f 2yo mdn auc (6) gd in Aug.
