towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and edged right 2f out, one pace final furlong
took keen hold behind leaders, driven and edged right over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
led, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
started slowly, reminders to go mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, soon beaten
tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden when weakening over 1f out
held up, headway 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, ran on final furlong
prominent, reminders over 4f out, ridden 2f out and weakened final furlong
always in rear division
behind, ridden, effort and headway 2f out, never reached challenging position
Smart Boy Prince is a tentative pick over the likes of Birdwatch, Ice And Fire, College Rebel and King's Envoy. Smart Boy Prince has had a break from the Flat since dominating proceeding here over two miles in January. That was his first victory since scoring over timber under Tony McCoy in January 2005, and of late he has been back at the winter game, most recently when down the field behind the useful Temoin at Sandown. He will appreciate this much less exacting task, and back on the level again, can force the issue from the outset. Birdwatch has never run on the all-weather before but showed abundant stamina when scoring over 20 furlongs in a handicap hurdle at Ayr in January. This marked drop back in trip is likely to count against Keith Reveley's charge today. Ice And Fire's latest success came at Wolverhampton, but he is effective here as well, having scored over the track and trip in November. The big worry with John Stimpson's inmate is the fact that he bombed out completely last time, finishing last of eight. College Rebel has a bit of scope but has tried this trip only once before, while dual purpose performer King's Envoy won well over two miles here the time before last but is inconsistent. So, we return to Smart Boy Prince as the answer.
Makarim (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden and outpaced 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 7l behind Elaala (8-10) at Southwell 1m 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Mar.
Ice And Fire 12-1 (8-0) Always towards rear, last of 8, 20l behind I'll Do It Today (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 6f app hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Smart Boy Prince (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Keen, led, headed after 3f, led again 10f out, headed 8f out, led again 6f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on gamely, won at Southwell 2m banded stk (7) fbs in Jan beating Blue Hills (9-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Birdwatch 16-1 (7-9) Always behind, 9th of 16, 18l behind Rouge Et Noir (9-1) at Carlisle 2m 1f mdn hcp (6) frm in Jul.
College Rebel 9-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace, 5th of 14, 7l behind Romil Star (10-6) at Southwell 1m 4f amt clm stk (6) fbs.
Galantos (GER) 4-1fav (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, 9th of 12, 29l behind Mustakhlas (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
King's Envoy (USA) 22-1 (8-9) Held up, pushed along 6f out, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, won at Southwell 2m banded stk (7) fbs in Feb beating Logger Rhythm (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Discomania 50-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 13l behind El Palmar (9-1) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Mar.
