awkward start and very slowly away, outpaced well in rear, eased 2f out
in touch, headway over 1f out, switched right to challenge inside final furlong, kept on well
pulled hard tracking leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, just failed
always prominent, led over 2f out, hard driven when pressed well inside final furlong, just held on
led until over 2f out, lost place over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 1 fout, switched right entering final furlong, ran on, never nearer
mid-division, weakened over 1f out
in touch, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, staying on when hampered inside final furlong, faded
mid-division, headway when not clear run over 1f out, switched left to challenge inside final furlong, ran on
towards rear, late headway, ran on, never nearer
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied in rear, soon outpaced, never a factor
Our Man In Havana is upped 4b for winning over the minimum trip here last month while Independence Day scored over the same distance at Chelmsford back in March and was placed on his reappearance. Dutiful Son and A Sure Welcome have been thereabouts recently with the latter preferred while Fast Track has undergone wind surgery since last in action in June having slid down the weights this year. But POETA BRASILEIRO (NAP) has the most scope now handicapping for the first time after winning a novices' event over today's trip at Kempton with a subsequent dual winner back in fourth and it could pay to stick with Jose Santos' colt.
Dutiful Son (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) In touch, pushed along 2f out, not pace to challenge, 6th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Zamjar (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Fast Track 33-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 16 1/2l behind The Armed Man (9-4) at Thirsk 6f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
A Sure Welcome 11-4fav (9-3) Mid-division, headway on outside over 1f out, edged left and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Rockies Spirit (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Poeta Brasileiro (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Made all, edged left and ridden over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Kempton 6f stks (5) pol in Nov beating Minuty (9-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Equally Fast 40-1 (9-1) Blindfold off late and missed break, always in rear, 10th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Walk On Walter (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Independence Day (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Gold Stone (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Oriental Relation (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Led until inside final 2f, chased leader until inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 7th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Rockies Spirit (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Our Man In Havana 20-1 (9-4) Behind, headway when not clear run over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, ran on to lead close home, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Red Stripes (8-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mansfield 14-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, pulled hard, headway over 1f out, not clear run and switched left inside final furlong, never on terms, 6th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Burtonwood (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
The Golden Cue 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Jorvik Prince (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Broken Wings (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway near side of group chasing leaders over 2f out, 2nd inside final 2f until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 9 1/4l behind Placebo Effect (9-4) at Newcastle 1m stks (5) pol in Nov.
Brockey Rise (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, 11th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Mr Mac (9-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
