raced wide close up, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on
towards rear, ridden 2f out, headway when short of room approaching final furlong, ran on, not quite reach winner
in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
raced wide in touch, weakened 2f out
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
dwelt held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Merhoob and Alsvinder are hard to separate having taken it in turns beating each other over the winter and also defeating the likes of El Hombre, Raucous and Desert Doctor in the process. Alsvinder came out just the best when they last met but Merhoob has won easily over track and trip subsequently. Corinthia Knight can figure having posted a better effort over 5f last week but SHAMSHON is holding his form well and Stuart Williams’ sprinter gets the vote after going close behind Boom The Groom last time having earlier won over course and distance.
Corinthia Knight (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) In touch, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Royal Birth (9-2) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
George Bowen (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride and awkwardly away, never better than mid-division, weakened 2f out, 13th of 17, 11 1/2l behind Major Jumbo (9-7) at York 6f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Merhoob (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, led 1f out, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (2) pol in Feb beating El Hombre (8-13) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Alsvinder 7-1 (9-2) Broke well, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, ran on gamely under pressure to lead post, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (2) pol in Feb beating Merhoob (8-13) by ns, 8 ran.
Raucous 9-2 (9-6) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, never a threat, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Merhoob (9-1) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Foolaad 4-1 (10-0) Led, headed 3f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Moonraker (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Zylan (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Led until over 5f out, chased leaders, led again inside final 2f, came clear final furlong, easily, won at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Crosse Fire (8-8) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
El Hombre 5-1 (8-13) Prominent, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same apce final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Merhoob (9-1) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Desert Doctor (IRE) 7-2cfav (8-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, progress well over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 1/2l behind Alsvinder (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Shamshon (IRE) 3-1jfav (8-4) Switched left to race on inside, held up, switched right and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Boom The Groom (8-3) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
