chased leaders, pushed along halfway, effort and not much room over 1f out, one pace final furlong
dwelt and soon chasing leaders, ridden over 1f out, chased winner final furlong
chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed and edged right over 1f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, driven along halfway, ridden and one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
outpaced, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
prominent for 3f
prominent for 3f
led, headed over 2f out, soon beaten
started slowly and towards rear, soon chased along, some late headway, never near to challenge
towards rear, never dangerous
The unexposed Aegean Dancer gets the nod over Efistorm, who has an each-way chance to gain some compensation for some recent near misses. Gone 'N' Dunnett and El Potro are also respected as dangers, while Tombalina - the only three-year-old in the line up - faces an uphill test and she is probably best watched for the time being. El Potro likes this course and, having built up a solid working relationship with Graham Gibbons, should go well again. He was a good second off this mark eight days ago and is well worth noting in the betting today. Gone 'N' Dunnett has been a great servant to his owner/trainer and can be relied upon to run his heart out. However, he has never won off a mark this high on the all weather and, as recent form would suggest, he needs everything to fall into place for him. As does Little Ridge, even though he is now on a very attractive mark. Similar comments apply to Efistorm, who is now 18lbs lower in the ratings than when he first raced on these shores. He handles this course well and will be a big danger to all. However, Aegean Dancer, who is a very lightly raced individual, is open to far more improvement. The son of Piccolo showed good consistency before he won a very weak maiden over course and distance last December. However, he held his own when he was upped in grade last time and shapes as if there is more in the offering. The step back to the minimum trip will ideally suit and This appears to be good opening for Aegean Dancer to shine.
Efistorm 7-2jt-fav (9-1) Chased leaders, led briefly inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Gone'n'dunnett (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Gone'n'dunnett (IRE) 22-1 (8-8) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, never near to challenge, 6th of 12, 2l behind Almaty Express (8-8) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Aegean Dancer 10-1 (8-4) Tracked leader, led halfway, hung left and headed 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 6l behind Pinchbeck (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Little Ridge (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Dwelt, held up, headway when not clear run over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 10, 2l behind Gone'n'dunnett (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
El Potro 9-2 (8-10) Always prominent, ran on well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind Almaty Express (8-8) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Tag Team (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-11) Led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Anfield Dream (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Silver Dane (IRE) 66-1 (8-0) Raced wide, towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 3l behind Qadar (9-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Amanda's Lad (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 12l behind Zorn (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb.
