restless in stalls, in touch, pushed along over 3f out, edged left and weakened halfway
led, ridden and headed 2f out, chased winner, no impression when lost 2nd final 50 yards, no extra in 4th close home
mid-division, pushed along on inside halfway, soon weakened
in touch for over 3f
chased leaders in 5th on inside, pushed along and kept on same pace inside final furlong, not pace to threaten
chased leaders until halfway, soon weakened
chased leader, led 2f out, ridden clear final furlong
started very slowly flashed tail and reluctant to race, in rear, never a factor
upset in stalls, slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear, headway 2f out, soon swiched right to outside, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home
outpaced towards rear, kept on final 2f, no threat
slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear, moderate late headway never on terms
slowly into stride, outpaced and towards rear throughout
off the pace towards rear, headway halfway, switched right and effort 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd final 50 yards, no threat to winner
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, hung left and outpaced inside final furlong
mid-division on inside, pushed along over 3f out, weakened halfway
The Dark Wizard is a half-brother to a 6f winner and makes most appeal of the newcomers ahead of Ovatory and Hypnotism. But experience may tell in this with Burnt Fingers and Green Millionaire both placed on their respective comebacks. The latter is preferred on his close-up second at Wolverhampton while Shore Step has claims having finished third at Newmarket in November. ZHIGGY'S STARDUST occupied the same finishing spot at Newbury back in May last year and hasn't raced since. However, Henry Candy boasts a fine strike rate at this track with his older horses so his lightly-raced four-year-old gets a speculative vote on his return.
Thrasos (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Led, driven and headed entering final furlong, soon lost place, 5th of 7, 5l behind Red Valerian (8-10) at Lingfield 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Zhiggy's Stardust 11-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, kept on but not pace of winner final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Cheworee (8-12) at Newbury 6f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May.
Purford Green 66-1 (9-9) Steadied start, took keen hold and held up towards rear, some headway into mid-division 3f out, no further progress and son weakened, last of 12, 13l behind Endorsing (8-13) at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Mar.
Evan Elpus (IRE) 11-8fav (8-13) Slowly into stride, tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Common Cents (9-12) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Green Millionaire 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, closed over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Hand In Glove (9-0) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Hypnotism Pivotal gelding out of Hypnotize.
Ovatory Acclamation colt out of Millsini.
Secret Success 25-1 (9-3) Tracked leader until ridden halfway, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 12l behind Senator Bong (9-3) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Shore Step (IRE) 5-2fav (9-3) Edged left start, keen tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, switched left effort entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Winter Song (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Nov.
The Dark Wizard (IRE) Dark Angel gelding out of Knapton Hill.
Assertive Agent 40-1 (9-0) Mid-division, in touch 4f out, pushed along over 2f out, soon lost place, last of 10, 17l behind Exceptionelle (9-0) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Jun.
Burnt Fingers (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) With leader until led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Azenzar (9-0) at Leicester 7f mdn fll stks (5) gs.
Calm Attitude (IRE) Dutch Art filly out of Turban Heights.
Castell Avon 100-1 (9-0) Led early, prominent, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 11, 33l behind Fehaydi (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Dilgura Ishiguru filly out of Dilys.
Faluka (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Slow into stride, outpaced and behind, never a factor, 6th of 8, 12l behind Hairy Rocket (9-0) at Windsor 5f 2yo stks (4) sft in May.
Miss Meticulous Bahamian Bounty filly out of Umniya.
