tracked leaders, led 3 out, hit next, driven out
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
jumped right throughout, always behind, weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance next, kept on from last
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out
The shortlist contains Polar Gunner and Fair Spin with the vote going to the first-named horse. Polar Gunner and Haditovski are both course and distance winners, with the former coming here seeking a fourth-successive win. Much as he has been raised nine pounds for the latest of them, he could have more to come and, with the going holding no fears, should go well today. Haditovski has proven on a number of occasions that he can run well from his current mark on this going, but, the question is, will he be good enough to win? Cruise Director is lightly raced over hurdles and is a little hard to assess but, on the upside, he has won on soft over 12 furlongs on the Flat. One to seriously consider, though, is Fair Spin, who is now a pound below his winning Newcastle mark - which was achieved on heavy going - of last March and his hurdling record of two wins from eight runs is good. Finally, Merryvale Man was winning off a 10lbs-higher mark two years ago and signalled a return to form with a Catterick win last time. Much as he likes give in the going, one or two might just have the edge on him today. Chief among these, for us, is Polar Gunner.
Polar Gunner 6-4fav (11-7) Close up, headway to lead after 3 out, driven clear between last 2, ridden and edged right flat, kept on, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb beating Prince Adjal (10-1) by 5l, 10 ran.
Cruise Director 9-4fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 18l behind Mystery Lot (10-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Fair Spin 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, driven 5 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 37l behind Flake (10-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Haditovski 7-1 (11-5) Ridden after 6th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Speed Venture (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Merryvale Man 10-1 (11-7) Made all, ridden 2 out, held on under pressure towards finish, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs beating Leadaway (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
