led and raced keen, headed well over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway 4f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, weakened 3f out
held up, headway on outer over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, one pace
chased leaders, led well over 2f out, stayed on well
held up mid-division, not much room 3f out, one pace final 2f
chased leader, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
held up, headway on outer over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up, weakened over 4f out
held up in touch, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, no impression
Nonrunner
IBROX is a speculative selection in the finale. Slew Charm and Middle Of Nowhere are respected, while Ghufa also makes appeal at this level and will be a danger if handling the surface. The last named made a winning start for his new yard at Wolverhampton earlier in the month and it will be noteworthy if the market is as positive about him again today. The trip should not be an issue and George Baker's gelding is an interesting contender. Middle Of Nowhere makes only his second start in a handicap and is hardly outfaced in this company. Odds permitting, he could be good value to at least make the frame. Slew Charm represents a stable that do well with their all-weather runners. And, having proved his fitness with a near miss at Wolverhampton last month, this useful hurdler should not be underestimated as he continues his rehabilitation after injury. However, Ibrox gets nod for a punt on these terms. The booking of Jimmy Quinn is a positive move and this unexposed handicapper is taken to relish the step back to his optimum distance.
Trans Sonic 7-1 (9-3) Led, headed after 3f, remained in touch, driven over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Edas (8-13) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Jan.
Jackie Kiely 9-1 (9-4) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, edged right and headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 11, 10l behind Turban Heights (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Ibrox (IRE) 11-2 (8-3) Held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 19l behind Aureate (9-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Ghufa (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, headway over 6f out, led well over 1f out, soon edged left, ridden out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol beating Old Romney (9-5) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Middle of Nowhere (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, pressed entering final furlong, soon headed and outpaced by winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Old Romney (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Slew Charm (FR) 8-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, led inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 11, hd behind Safin (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Etoile d'Or (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Always in rear, 11th of 13, 12l behind Princelywallywogan (8-9) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Apr.
Corrib (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, always in rear, eased inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 14l behind Prairie Hawk (8-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Alberts Story (USA) 5-1jt-fav (8-9) Held up, ridden and headway well over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind General Tufto (7-11) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Alseraaj (USA) 33-1 (9-1) Dwelt, towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 19l behind Alf Tupper (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Dazzling Begum 8-1 (8-9) Behind, ridden over 4f out, headway 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, just kept on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind General Tufto (7-11) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Tyrana (GER) 7-2 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress over 1f out, 8th of 14, 10l behind Stand Guard (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
