tracked leaders, reminders over 4f out when lost ground, headway over 2f out, no extra final furlong
made all, led steady pace, quickened over 3f out, driven and kept on final furlong
in touch, ridden along over 4f out, weakened final furlong
held up, clipped heel and stumbled after 2f, saddle slipped after 4f, remained in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind, headway after 4f, driven and kept on same pace final 2f
towards rear, never a factor
steadied at start, held up towards rear, reminders over 5f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
Mark Johnston has won this race in each of the last 2 seasons and he is taken to land the prize with Forsyte Saga; the list of dangers is headed by Sheer Fantastic and Pepper's Ghost. The selection is fit from a winter campaign on the all-weather and although she disappointed last time, she had previously gone close behind Bookiebasher Babe at Wolverhampton. This step-up in trip should suit and she should go close. Sheer Fantastic is the obvious alternative as this lightly-raced 3-year-old from the Patrick Haslam yard did well to win last time he beat Boomtown at Lingfield. However, he carried his head high that day and he looks far from straightforward so we are happy to swerve him today. Pepper's Ghost finished second behind Kryptonite last time and he is a nice colt who should pay his way. However, he looks the type who will do even better over further in time. Kiribati King is stepped-up in trip today but he has been off the track since November and he may be sharper for the run. This is a tricky race for punters to fathom but we will nominate Forsyte Saga to complete the hat-trick for his trainer.
Sheer Fantastic 6-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 2f out, stayed on well under pressure to lead last strides, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Boomtown (9-9) by a hd, 11 ran.
Forsyte Saga 7-2 (8-9) With leader, ridden and effort over 2f out, no extra and weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Mischief Making (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Crimson Mitre 28-1 (8-9) Prominent on inside, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 7l behind Townsville (8-9) at Fontainebleau 1m in Nov.
Roundthetwist (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) In rear, in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 6, 10l behind Mischief Making (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Kiribati King (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, 6th of 14, 5l behind Howdigo (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Nov.
Sabre Light 100-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 15, 12l behind No To Trident (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gd in Mar.
Pepper's Ghost 14-1 (8-12) Settled in rear, headway 3f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, gaining near finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Kryptonite (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
