held up, headway over 2f out, led 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
prominent, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, some late headway, never reached challengening position
prominent, driven over 3f out, soon beaten
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
led, headed 5f out, remained in touch, ridden when weakening over 1f out
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, driven over 3f out, stayed on towards finish
never better than mid-division
prominent, driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, chased along and lost ground over 4f out, soon beaten
in touch, led 8f out, headed well over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Another tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Greenwich Meantime,Maneki Neko and Charlotte Vale and the vote is given to Meniki Neko. The selection won with plenty in hand last time out when beating Charlotte Vale last time out, granted he has a penalty for that win but he looks a progressive type and under conditions that suit he is taken to win again. Greenwich Meantime rates the main danger as he won well when last seen when defeating Rule Forever. However he has plenty of weight and he may just need the run after a 236 day absence and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Charlotte Vale is weighted to get closer to the selection here but he still has a little to find. Haatmey looks on a handy mark on his best form but his stable are out of form so he can not be put forward with any confidence. Of the remainder Melvino is from a shrewd yard which is in top form and should be closely watched in the market but in a race that throws up more questions than answers and where stakes should be kept to a minimum for the winner we return to the progressive Maneki Neko.
Greenwich Meantime 9-4 (9-12) Steadied start and held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, edged right final furlong, kept on, won at Ripon 2m hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Rule For Ever (8-8) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Maneki Neko (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) In touch, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on, won at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs beating Charlotte Vale (8-12) by 2l, 15 ran.
Charlotte Vale 16-1 (8-12) Held up, headway 4f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Maneki Neko (8-7) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Cotton Eyed Joe (IRE) 5-2fav (10-3) Held up, headway over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 11l behind Victory Quest (9-10) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
Haatmey 7-1 (9-5) Mid-division, lost place over 3f out, headway over 1f out, soon one pace, 7th of 10, 5l behind Shaunas Vision (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (5) pol.
Court of Appeal 7-1 (9-2) In touch, pushed along over 5f out, weakened 4f out, 5th of 6, 22l behind Kylkenny (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f clm (6) fbs in Feb.
Melvino 17-2 (8-10) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, drew clear towards finish, won at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct beating Hawridge King (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Street Life (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride, headway over 3f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 7l behind Sphinx (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcap (5) sft.
