keen, tracked leader until over 4f out, weakened 3f out
slowly into stride, ridden to be in touch, chased leader over 4f out until 3f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, in rear, some headway 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
raced wide, in touch, outpaced over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace
mid-division, reminders 6f out, headway to chase leader 3f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong
mid-division, outpaced halfway
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
A poor claimer can go the way of Esperance ahead of Vittorioso, with Pregnant Pause the other one to consider. This is little better than a seller, and although her form is nothing special, Esperance should prove the answer. John Akehurst's charge has shown the most consistency of the nine runners here, and a reproduction of her latest head second to Vizulize may be good enough. To put the race into context, she remains a maiden after 30 starts, and the fact that she is selected shows just how desperate an affair this is. However, she has done enough to warrant support today and can see off the challenge of Vittorioso who has not been getting home over longer trips. His best form was a second to Blueberry Rhyme over five furlongs here 12 months ago, but he has gone downhill since. Pregnant Pause has not shown a great deal at the other two all-weather venues and it remains to be seen how he will adapt to the slower surface today. All in all, this represents Esperance's best chance to date of opening her account.
Bjorling 66-1 Soon led, headed over 6f out, stayed prominent until weakened 2f out, 10th of 12, 14l behind Silver Palace at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (D3) pol in Dec.
Esperance (IRE) 9-2 Dwelt, held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and edged right from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, nk behind Vizulize at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn clm (H5) pol.
Ginger Ice 4-1 In touch and pulled hard, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 14, 8l behind Margery Daw at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (H5) pol in Dec.
Pregnant Pause (IRE) 5-1 Chased winner, effort over 1f out, not quicken and weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 4l behind Man Crazy at Lingfield 6f mdn clm (H5) pol.
Vrisaki (IRE) 20-1 Took keen hold, led 9f out, headed well over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 12, 10l behind Regency Red at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (G4) pol.
Vittorioso (IRE) 6-1 In touch, headway over 3f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 8l behind Dances With Angels at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn clm (H5) pol.
Gemini Joy Milieu mare out of Monibell.
Shaamit's All Over 16-1 In touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 9, well behind Dances With Angels at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn clm (H5) pol.
