held up but in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon one pace
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakening when edged left from over 1f out
soon prominent and raced keenly, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering straight
slowly into stride, behind, soon niggled along, ridden and rider dropped whip over 3f out, no response
always prominent, chased winner halfway, kept on towards finish
slowly into stride, soon prominent, weakening inside final furlong
Bel Cantor, Tag Team and Mafaheem are the three for the shortlist and the vote goes to Bel Cantor. The selection wasn't beaten far behind Xpres Maite here last time and he makes plenty of appeal today now that he is dropped back to his optimum trip. He gets on well with today's pilot Kelly Harrison and he looks the one to beat. Tag Team ran right up to his best here last time behind Obe Royal but the draw could have been kinder to him and for that reason we will narrowly pass him over. Mafaheem arrives here in good form and he is chasing the 4-timer, but he won a seller last time out and this is more competitive so he may have to settle for a minor role. Strathmore has the worst of the draw and he keeps finding one too good so the percentage call is to take him on. All of which returns us to Bel Cantor as the one to beat.
Methaaly (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 8, 6l behind Radiator Rooney (8-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Bel Cantor 15-2 (8-6) Led early, chased leader, led again over 1f out, soon ridden, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Xpres Maite (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Mafaheem 8-13fav (9-13) Slowly into stride, switched and headway over 2f out, ridden and edged left, led 1f out, soon clear, won at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol in Jan beating Tang (8-10) by 3l, 6 ran.
Strathmore (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (9-4) Pushed along in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, driven and stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Grand Palace (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
Dematraf (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Soon outpaced and behind, never dangerous, 5th of 6, 10l behind Cerebus (9-4) at Southwell 6f fll hcp (5) fbs in Jan.
Chatshow (USA) 10-3 (8-4) Keen, headway 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Obe Royal (8-11) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Avontuur (FR) 40-1 (8-8) Dwelt, headway to lead over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed and kept on one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Hits Only Jude (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
Tag Team (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, rallied close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Obe Royal (8-11) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
