made all, hung right from 5f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
in rear, ridden 3f out, headway under pressure from over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 5f out, outpaced well over 3f out, rallied to go third well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
close-up, chased winner 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked winner until 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up, headway 4f out, chased winner over 2f out, driven and stayed on final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Nonrunner
Eseej may have been an impressive winner last time out but his lack of form on fibresand is too much of a concern to ignore so instead we side with TOP TIGER with Mid Valley also in with a chance. The selection may not have a victory on the CV at this track but put in a decent effort over course and distance last time to suggest he does act on fibresand. The form from that race can only be described as weak but his mark looks more than fair these days and he looks good on these terms. Mid Valley is a course and distance winner which is often worth a mention in itself. That said it came at this time last year and also represents the last time he had his head in front but this one shouldn't be ignored under these conditions. Paddy Rielly is one win from one run over course and distance which came off this mark. He has shown a willingness to return to form in the last two starts and may be in the mix. This is by no means an easy race judge but Top Tiger may just be the best one to back.
Eseej (USA) 10-3fav (8-7) Made all, led, ridden, quickened clear 2f out, edged right final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb beating Morbick (9-2) by 3l, 10 ran.
Bedouin Blue (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Dwelt, chased leaders and keen, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, last of 7, 31l behind Inside Story (8-13) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Jackie Kiely 25-1 (9-7) Held up, headway 4f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 25l behind Middle of Nowhere (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
Sergeant Sharpe 16-1 (8-6) Always towards rear, 8th of 11, 14l behind Okafranca (8-4) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Jul.
Top Tiger 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, not reached winner, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Safin (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb.
Paddy Rielly (IRE) 15-2 (8-1) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 4th of 12, 5l behind Bois Joli (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Mid Valley 10-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway from over 2f out, held when not clear run and short of room inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Shenandoah Girl (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Tyrana (GER) 16-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 4th of 13, 4l behind Safin (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb.
