slowly into stride, pushed along in rear, never on terms
tracked leader, hard driven and effort well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
always prominant, chased leader over 2f out, led 1f out, driven out, redily
led, hard driven and strongly challenged from 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on well
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never able to challenge
HARLECH CASTLE is selected to win this sprint handicap at the main expense of Bel Cantor, Onceuponatime and Esprit de Midas. The selection has, in fact, reduced Onceuponatime to runner-up on his last two starts, successfully giving that rival 13lbs and a neck beating over course and distance last month. Our pick is now 4lbs better off in today's contest and, as one in a rich vein of form, is taken to complete the hat-trick. Bel Cantor goes well here and his last win came at the track over 5f. However, he very much more a horse for today's trip and must be short-list material, although we will just oppose him from today's mark of 80. Esprit de Midas is interesting now tried in headgear, which may liven him up a bit over the trip, which has so far proved an unsuccessful one for him on the Fibresand. All three of his successes here have been over 7f. Again, however, his current mark looks a bit prohibitive and we will take him on. Tawzeea tries this surface for the first time and although both his turf wins came on fast ground, he has made the frame on soft, so he may handle conditions. Dubai Dynamo is yet to win on the Fibresand, but was only just headed on his only previous try, and is entitled to get very competitive from today's pitch of 90, though Harlech Castle is selected.
Dubai Dynamo 33-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up behind, never dangerous, last of 15, 15l behind Prince Of Dance (9-2) at Salisbury 1m hcp 105 (2) sft in Oct.
Esprit de Midas 16-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 7th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Autumn Blades (10-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jan.
Harlech Castle 5-2 (9-3) Pressed leader, led over 3f out, ridden and pressed 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan beating Onceaponatime (8-4) by nk, 7 ran.
Bel Cantor 18-1 (8-1) With leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on, 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Tourist (8-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Jan.
Tawzeea (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) With leaders, every chance 2f out, ridden and outpaced when hampered over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 8l behind Moonage Daydream (7-13) at Redcar 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug '08.
Onceaponatime (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Held up, headway on inside over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Sir Nod (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
