held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on take 3rd towards finish
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, switched left 2f out, chased leader inside final furlong, driven, stayed on to lead post
led, ridden, headed approaching 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced keen early, in rear, ridden halfway, soon weakened
soon ridden along towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, pressed inside final furlong, headed post
tracked leaders, ridden, every chance over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
This should prove to be a very competitive affair and it is course and distance winner REBEL DUKE who makes the selection ahead of fellow course and distance winner Whiskey Creek and Southwell debutant Tajneed. Five-year-old Rebel Duke was victorious here back in January and placed here on his only run since after being raised 8lbs things looked a little tougher then but he runs a little lighter here today looks capable of returning to winning ways on a track he has valuable experience on. The yard of Whiskey Creek are in pretty good form of late as is the gelding himself. He has been very consistent and progressive this year and ran another fine race last time out. The four-year-old has placed in his last seven outings and has two course and distance wins to his name already this year. The handicapper looks to have the measure of him though hence not making the selection. It¿s a course debut for Tajneed today. The gelding completed a fabulous one-two for his trainer last time out and although lightly-raced this season since joining David Nicholls, he remains a horse of interest. A distance winner and beaten favourite last time out, Cheveton looks capable of challenging if he can recover from a dismal performance last time out but he should be of little concern to our selection, Rebel Duke.
Ebraam (USA) 16-1 (9-1) Raced wide in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 12th of 13, 8l behind Abbondanza (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Tajneed (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Chased stands side group, led that group over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 27, 2 1/2l behind Regal Parade (8-10) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) hvy in Sept.
Cheveton 6-1fav (8-9) Mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression, 13th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Judge 'n Jury (9-6) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Stoneacre Lad (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, last of 10, 4 1/2l behind Arganil (9-0) at Lingfield 5f lst stk (1) pol.
Tournedos (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 19, 5l behind Holbeck Ghyll (8-7) at Epsom 5f hcap (2) gd in Jun.
Pawan (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden to chase winner briefly over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 4l behind Arganil (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Rebel Duke (IRE) 6-4fav (8-10) Steadied start, keen, in touch, ridden to chase winner 1f out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Arganil (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Whiskey Creek 11-4jt-fav (8-10) Tracked leading pair, ridden to lead well over 1fl, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Chjimes (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Foxy Music 22-1 (8-9) Led, headed over 1f out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 9, 8l behind Little Edward (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
