hood removed when stalls opened, behind, driven and outpaced 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
raced keenly, with winner, ridden 2f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened final furlong
made all, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
behind, outpaced 3f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden and effort to chase winner over 1f out until inside final furlong, no extra
ELUSIVE WARRIOR can be tough to peg back around here and in this small field gets the vote from Jonnie Skull and Obe Gold. The last named arrives here in good heart having won in decent style last time but his best form is at trips shorter than today's and on this surface the gelding may be found wanting for stamina, so we prefer Elusive Warrior. Alan McCabe's seven-year-old has raced almost exclusively at this track and despite suffering a winless 2009 he deserves a return to the winners' enclosure. Last time out the gelding took second in handicap company and so as one who arrives in form, loves it here and has won over the trip more than once his profile is rock-solid for the grade. Shane Kelly is a positive jockey booking and this one comes out joint best on the figures with Jonnie Skull who might pose the biggest threat. This one won a handicap off 59 back in December and has run well since so has every chance here and is only narrowly passed over. Cleveland goes well here but is winless since 2008 and was ultimately well held in similar company last time. That effort was back in the early part of last year too so there have to be concerns about fitness and against today's solid looking opposition the eight-year-old is hard to fancy despite the figures giving him a chance, as is Boss Hog who gained his sole success here but also has a small break to contend with, as well as the fact he's not looked up to his rating of late. Tango Step and Favouring would both represent shock winners and so our preference is for Elusive Warrior.
Obe Gold 9-4 (9-6) Made all, held on gamely final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f sell stks (6) pol in Dec beating Equinity (9-1) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Boss Hog 7-1 (9-2) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten, 10th of 14, 5l behind Eliza Doolittle (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Cleveland 10-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 2f out, hard driven and headed near finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Ballycroy Boy (9-8) at Southwell 6f sell stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 7-1 (9-0) With winner, ridden, every chance over 2f out until approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Whitbarrow (8-13) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Favouring (IRE) 200-1 (8-1) Hampered start, always in rear, 9th of 10, 16l behind Swinbrook (9-0) at Southwell 6f clm stks (6) fbs in Jul.
Tango Step (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind Ten Pole Tudor (9-7) at Southwell 1m sell stks (6) fbs in Dec.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) With leader, led 3f out to over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Follow The Flag (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
