chased leaders, headway over 4f out, led on bit over 3f out, driven over 2f out, challenged inside final furlong, stayed on gamely
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon hard ridden and one pace
held up towards rear, never a factor
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 2f out, soon driven to challenge, stayed on well, not reached winner
slowly into stride, soon prominent, led after 1f, headed after 5f out, soon weakened
led 1f, led again over 5f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Winning form is at a premium for this handicap but having been successful on his only start at this track RAPTOR gets the call in front of the consistent Mutajaaser and Opera Prince is also in with a chance. Weighted a full 12lbs lower on the turf than on the all-weather the selection returns to the scene of his only career win. He showed a spark of form on his last run and although not one to trust fully he looks to have been found a weak race. Mutajaaser has been close off this mark the last twice and with this gelding open to some improvement we could see this one get a win at the seventh time of asking. Opera Prince is now nine pounds below his last scoring mark and given he has form on soft he looks likely to run a big race after a string of poor efforts. Capeability came off second best off this rating in November but has it to prove on this ground so in a very tight race we side just with Raptor based on the fact he looks light on his return to grass.
Raptor (GER) 14-1 (8-10) In rear, ridden inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 7, 6l behind December Draw (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) std in Mar.
Opera Prince 15-2 (8-10) In touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 43l behind Red Jade (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Mar.
It's Dubai Dolly 25-1 (8-9) Prominent, raced keenly, outpaced 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 25l behind King Olav (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Capeability (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Peace Corps (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Daredevil Dan 5-1 (9-3) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, headway into modest 3rd final furlong, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Charger (9-3) at Brighton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Oct.
Mutajaaser (USA) 11-2 (9-1) Chased leader, led over 2f out, hard ridden and headed final 110 yards, soon lost 2nd and no extra, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Matjar (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
December 20-1 (9-4) Mostly tracked leader, every chance well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 7l behind Drizzi (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
