in rear, ridden halfway, no impression final 2f
chased leaders, ridden halfway, driven to lead entering final furlong, kept on well
prominent, led 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, one pace
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on final 2f, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on well final furlong, not reach winner
led, ridden and headed 2f out, driven, soon weakened
chased leaders, driven, kept on same pace final 2f
mid-division, hung right, no impression final 2f
The better division of the pair and AL MUGTAREB is the selection ahead of Minotaurious and Mister Tinktastic. Mark Johnston's colt has plenty of sprint influence in his pedigree and while the BHA figures may read otherwise, the form of his fourth in a Newmarket maiden is the strongest on offer. Minotaurious has had more experience than most. She ran well enough at Wolverhampton to suggest there might be a small race within her compass. Mister Tinktastic has two creditable runs on heavy to his name so the jury is out on this surface. Pontardawe was a relatively expensive purchase by stable standards so don't be surprised to see her make a bold show. High Profit is exposed as plating class on the flat. Blue Noodles is all about early pace. Russian Music is bred for flat racing so it was more than a little surprising to see him tried in a National Hunt flat race the other day. Minturno ran much better than his debut finishing position suggests so watch the market. Al Mugtareb looks best placed to prosper.
High Profit (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) In rear, headway and effort over 2f out soon driven, no extra, 7th of 11, 9l behind Red Somerset (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Russian Music (USA) 8-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 4f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Mister Wall Street (10-9) at Haydock 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar (N.Hunt).
Al Mugtareb (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, never any chance with unchallenged winner, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Redding Colliery (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn (4) pol in Oct.
Blue Noodles 25-1 (8-13) Chased leader until over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 18l behind Princess Cagliari (9-3) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Mar.
Minturno (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, every chance 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 7l behind Floor Show (9-3) at Redcar 7f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Sept.
Mister Tinktastic (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders and keen, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Affluent (8-12) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn (5) hvy in Oct.
Minotaurious (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong went 2nd last strides no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Lady Vivien (8-7) at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Smelly Cat 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 11l behind Sirenuse (9-0) at Ripon 5f 2yo mdn fll (4) gd in Jul.