restless stalls, dwelt, soon prominent, went 2nd 2f out, shaken up to lead approaching 1f out, quickened clear, comfortable
with leaders, ridden halfway, kept on one pace from over 1f out
dwelt, chased leader after 1f, until hung right 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, soon pushed along, ridden and hung left entering final 2f, soon weakened
slowly into stride, in touch in rear, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on, no chance with winner
prominent, ridden 3f out, short of room and switched left 2f out, soon weakened
With doubts about the trip and the track surrounding Sir Nod, we'll stick with course specialist WHERE'S REILEY ahead of the consistent First Swallow. David Barron's gelding has won three of his four starts over course and distance, victories which have seen him climb 12lbs in the ratings. That seems fully justified, particularly as his latest success has been franked, and with most rivals having something to prove he's the one they all have to beat. Sir Nod won in tenacious fashion last time at Wolverhampton and has claims off just 2lbs higher. That effort was particularly impressive seeing as he'd been off the track for some time but back at five furlongs today and with the Fibresand to deal with he's taken on for the forecast spot with First Swallow. The bottom-weight has a 3lb turnaround in the weights with our selection for a length beating and whilst he may need more if he's to reverse the form, he may still do enough to take second. Spic 'n Span can be very tough to peg back on his day but tends to win in plating company and more is required, so a bigger threat may emerge from Colorus who remains reasonably treated and acts well here. Hitches Dubai needs a market check on his first start of 2010 but unless money arrives in droves we'd be inclined to stick with Where's Reiley, who can continue his Southwell romance.
Where's Reiley (USA) 9-2fav (9-3) Held up in rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, effort between horses entering final furlong, stayed on to lead final 50 yards, won at Southwell 5f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb beating Bo McGinty (8-11) by nk, 14 ran.
Colorus (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) Raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 5l behind Glamorous Spirit (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Sir Nod 5-1 (8-6) Soon tracked leader, joined leader after 2f, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead post, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Weet A Surprise (8-5) by ns, 9 ran.
Spirit of Coniston 16-1 (8-9) Mid-division, not clear run and lost place 2f out, hung left and no impression over 1f out, 11th of 13, 9l behind Caledonia Princess (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Calmdownmate (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, always in rear, behind from over 1f out, last of 14, 10l behind Where's Reiley (9-3) at Southwell 5f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Spic 'n Span 9-2fav (9-3) Prominent, chased leader just over 2f out, chance over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Steel City Boy (8-10) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
First Swallow 6-1 (8-13) Pressed leader, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Where's Reiley (9-3) at Southwell 5f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Hitches Dubai (BRZ) 7-2fav (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 9l behind Imperial Sword (9-7) at Ayr 6f all hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
