led narrowly, went clear over 1f out, kept on until headed well inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
chased leaders to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, nearest finish
pressed leader to well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
steadied start, settled in mid-division, headway to chase leader over 1f out, every chance well inside final furlong, took 2nd near finish
towards rear, headway on outer over 1f out, edged left entering final furlong, quickened to lead well inside final furlong, clear near finish
in touch on outer, effort from over 1f out, not quicken, beaten when slightly hampered inside final furlong
behind, ridden and outpaced 2f out, never nearer
raced wide, behind, ridden halfway, never dangerous
Almaty Express has made a habit of winning back to back races but Fast Freddie can lower his colours this evening; Nigella may be most interesting of the remainder. The selection has shown progressive form since being fitted with an eyeshield and that trend showed no sign of stopping on his recent return to action at Kempton where he ran out a ready winner. He's 7lbs higher but looks capable of going in again. Almaty Express has an 8lb higher mark to contend with following his latest and ninth victory here. That was a career best performance from John Weymes's gelding and he should be in the firing line again. Nigella was backed at big prices last time only to be run out of things close home. She races from the same mark this evening and connections clearly feel that there's another race in her. Obe Royal should run his race but looks a pound or two too high in the weights at present and we'll award our vote to Fast Freddie.
Almaty Express 7-2 (9-3) Made all, kept on well, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb beating Monte Major (8-10) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Nigella 3-1jt-fav (8-12) Chased leader, led inside final furlong, soon headed, not quicken, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Distant Sun (9-2) at W'hampton 5f hcap (4) pol in Feb.
Obe Royal 20-1 (8-6) Started slowly, settled towards rear, carried right and hampered over 1f out, ran on when clear final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Diriculous (8-8) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Fast Freddie 7-1 (9-1) Made all, unchallenged, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb beating Rocker (9-4) by 2l, 7 ran.
Cosmic Destiny (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Pulled hard behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Transcend (9-1) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Multahab 7-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb beating Mambazo (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Sands Crooner (IRE) 12-1 (7-11) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Halsion Chancer (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Desert Opal 15-2 (8-13) Slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, 5th of 6, 8l behind Almaty Express (9-3) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Monte Major (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Almaty Express (9-3) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Kings College Boy 12-1 (8-13) Soon outpaced, 7th of 9, 6l behind Tartatartufata (9-3) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
