held up in touch, headway over 1f out, never on terms
dwelt, chased leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on into 2nd entering final furlong, no chance with winner
chased clear leader, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen in rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no extra final furlong
made all, soon 5 lengths clear, drew further clear 2f out, unchallenged, eased closing stages
Rated 77, WATHEEQA is difficult to oppose in this company having finished runner-up at Newbury recently and Roger Varian’s filly should be opening her account in this. The others with racing experience make little appeal though Imperial Act may do better returning to a mile for this but the newcomer Gateway could prove the main danger. He’s the first foal of a Listed winner and Mark Johnston has a good strike rate at the track.
Hell Of A Lady 66-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, soon ridden and lost place, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 11, 8 3/4l behind Pulsating (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Gateway Shamardal gelding out of Gaterie.
Paraphenalia 40-1 (9-2) Very slowly away outpaced and behind, never on terms, last of 12, 30 1/4l behind Jamih (9-2) at Sandown 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Imperial Act 33-1 (8-11) Raced wide, tracked leaders, saddle slipped and headway to lead over 6f out until 4f out, soon beaten and eased, 6th of 7, dist behind Thimbleweed (8-11) at Salisbury 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Watheeqa (USA) 2-1fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort to challenge inside final 2f, ridden 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, not pace of winner final 50 yards, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Scottish Jig (9-0) at Newbury 1m fll stks (4) gf in Jun.
