led, headed over 9f out, chased clear leader, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed post
pulled hard, soon chasing leader, led over 9f out, well clear over 6f out, 30 lengths clear 4f out, weakened and headed inside final furlong
held up, headway 3f out, ridden and edged left well over 1f out, one pace
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace
held up, never near leaders
held up, headway 3f out, pushed along and ran on inside final furlong to lead post
held up, never dangerous
held up, struggling 3f out
held up, headway 3f out, one pace final furlong
held up, headway on inside well over 1f out, stayed on
Nonrunner
In the opener, Zalkani gets the call ahead of Principal Witness and Court Of Appeal. Zalkani remains on a competitive mark and goes well for today's rider. Relatively unexposed at today's trip, he can go well today. Countrywide Luck carries a penalty for his narrow Lingfield run but, if the same kind of form, must come right into things again, although Principal Witness (who ran modestly at Lingfield on Wednesday) is four pounds better off for a short head from that race. He is also seven pounds better off for the four lengths that Cumbrian Knight beat him here over 14 furlongs on November 28. The enigmatic Bid For Fame, who is well weighted on his best form, has something to find on the bare form of that contest just referred to. Court Of Appeal remainds very well treated based on his best Turf form and his all-weather record is good, so he is respected. Golden Boot is another to be fairly treated on his best Turf form, but his all-weather record to date is not so good, while Activist's win last time came in a seller. Finally, Polish Powered would hold a shout based on spring Turf form, while Lake Wakatipu at least comes here on the back of a good run. Overall, though, we will stick with Zalkani.
Countrywide Luck 9-2 (8-11) Held up, headway over 3f out, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Principal Witness (8-10) by a shd, 16 ran.
Zalkani (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind Bazelle (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Court of Appeal 13-2 (9-12) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 15, 7l behind Idealistic (10-10) at York 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) In touch, chased leader after 5f, ridden to lead over 1f out, pushed out, won at W'hampton 2m 1f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Countback (10-6) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Golden Boot 10-1 (8-6) Steadied start, ridden 4f out, switched right over 3f out, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 6l behind Newnham (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Activist 7-2 (9-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at W'hampton 1m 6f sll (6) pol in Jan beating Moon Shot (9-3) by 6l, 11 ran.
Lake Wakatipu 14-1 (9-0) Behind, headway over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Mister Completely (9-5) at W'hampton 2m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Jan.
Principal Witness (IRE) 11-4fav (8-6) Mid-division, hard ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 9l behind Dovedon Hero (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) std.
