held up, slowly hampered on bend over 3f out, never troubled leaders
held up, switched right and effort over 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch and keen, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, fading when caught inside final furlong
in touch and keen, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, led over 2f out, driven clear final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on to chase clear winner inside final furlong
mid-division and keen, saddle slipped over 5f out, soon behind
in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up, brief effort on inside over 2f out
started slowly, in rear, some late progress
led, headed 2f out and weakened
A chance is taken with handicap debutante Dancing Dik, who gets the nod over in-form rivals Air Chief and Kryptonite. It would also be interesting to note backing for Shaftesbury in the betting ring, as he has the profile to sneak into a place in this company; so is worth bearing in mind. Kryptonite delivered on a few promises when scoring at Wolverhampton 50 days ago - entering the notebooks as one to keep on the right side for a return to turf. Set to race from just a 4lb higher mark, the son of Derby winner Kris Kin stays further than this, so the two-furlong drop in trip is a bit of a concern. Air Chief had a couple of these in behind when he won at Folkestone three weeks ago, so is respected on that form alone. This is a slightly stronger contest, so he does need to prove that was not just a flash in the pan. Therefore, it can be more rewarding to take a chance that Dancing Dik has the scope to brush aside his initial rating of just 68 if all goes to plan for him today. Jim Crowley knows the son of Diktat well and his 'racing clock' will be a big help in the selection seeing out this new trip successfully.
Samurai Warrior 7-1 (9-3) Prominent, went 2nd over 3f out until 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 13l behind Caribana (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Jan.
Kryptonite (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Held up 4th, ridden to chase leader 3f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar beating Pepper's Ghost (8-12) by a nk, 5 ran.
Spinning Ridge (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Led narrowly 1f, chased winner afterwards, ridden and weakened quickly well over 1f out, last of 11, 29l behind Thebes (9-4) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Dancing Dik 50-1 (9-3) Towards rear, stayed on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 15, 10l behind Whistledownwind (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Air Chief 12-1 (8-12) Tracked leader 7f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, driven and all out, won at Folkestone 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) sft beating Zen Factor (8-12) by a ns, 7 ran.
Kyrie Eleison (IRE) 11-8 (8-0) Dwelt, held up in last place, improved on inner 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Mar beating Site Sentry (9-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Tamrai Dancer 7-2 (9-3) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakend over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Air Chief (8-12) at Folkestone 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) sft.
Shaftesbury (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Black Tor Figarro (8-5) at Warwick 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) sft.
Mganga 5-1 (9-2) Slow into stride in rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on to take remote 4th over 1f out, 4th of 7, 21l behind Air Chief (8-12) at Folkestone 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) sft.
Love And Glory (FR) 12-1 (9-3) Always behind, 7th of 10, 4l behind Blakeshall Diamond (8-5) at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Nov.
Rosy Dawn 14-1 (8-6) Made all, clear 2f out, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) pol beating Herrbee (8-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
