dwelt and towards rear, ridden along over 2f out, headway on inner over 1f out, ran on final furlong with nearest at finish
mid-division, driven and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, ran on final furlong
mid-division, not much room when hampered over 4f out, not recovered
dwelt, towards rear, head over 3f out, never reached challenging position
in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden when weakening over 1f out
slowly into stride and behind, never a factor
in touch, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, effort over 2f out, never near to challenge
chased leaders, ridden along 3f out, soon behind
towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
took keen hold to lead, headed over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
in touch, led over 4f out, headed 2f out, kept on same pace
always rear division
This could turn out to be a Dandy Nicholls one-two, with Just James taken to outgun Sawwaah, while Wiltshire, Zhitomir and Methusaleh can also be considered. Just James is certainly not the horse he was, and was well beaten in a class 4 handicap at Southwell last month, but he is still very useful at this level, as proved by his win there on New Years Day. At one time rated 115 and successful in a Group 2 at Newmarket for Jeremy Noseda, he is very well treated in comparison these days and should still be capable of picking up the odd race or two. He is taken to overcome his draw in stall 10 and get the better of stablemate Sawwaah, who has been well placed to land his last two starts, at Wolverhampton and Lingfield. He is not as well treated on Turf, but is fit and in form, plus he has a good draw in stall two. Wiltshire was not unexpected when getting his head in front at Kempton last time, and has won over seven furlongs before, so has to be on the short-list as well. Zhitomir is a past course-and-distance winner who resides on a handy mark, but needs to prove his fitness, while Methusaleh has gone right off the boil lately, and does not win too often anyway. The market should be closely watched in all Turf races over the next few weeks, as that will be an indicator to the fitness of certain individuals, but for now we will rely on Just James to prevail.
Methusaleh (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) Held up towards rear, effort when short of room approaching final furlong, not recover, 11th of 13, 7l behind Greenwood (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Penel (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and stayed on final 2f, never nearer, 6th of 13, 8l behind Island Green (8-10) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs in Mar.
Sawwaah (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Held up, headway over 1f out, strong run to lead towards finish, easily, won at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (5) pol in Mar beating Bridgewater Boys (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Tyrone Sam 7-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, wide, headway to chase leaders 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 14, 14l behind Kew The Music (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar.
Wiltshire (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Towards rear, headway 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Greenwood (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Cape Sydney (IRE) 28-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 26l behind Feelin Irie (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Mar.
Dark Moon 16-1 (8-12) Never dangerous, last of 10, 16l behind Magic Amour (8-12) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol in Mar.
Howards Princess 20-1 (8-10) Held up, hampered over 3f out, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 14, 3l behind Ace Club (8-5) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Feb.
Just James 25-1 (8-5) Towards rear, never a factor, 12th of 13, 43l behind Dichoh (8-9) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Legal Set (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Prominent, led over 4f out until over 2f out, weakened quickly entering straight, last of 12, 10l behind Desert Light (8-12) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol in Mar.
Telepathic (IRE) 80-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 7l behind Monte Major (11-5) at W'hampton 5f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Woodwee 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders over 4f, 12th of 14, 19l behind Capital Lass (9-1) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Zhitomir 16-1 (8-4) Mid-division, driven, headway 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 9l behind Hiccups (9-0) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Oct.
Cut Ridge (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed well over 2f out, soon beaten, 12th of 14, 29l behind Cleveland (9-3) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Nov.
Flamestone 8-1 (8-13) Broke well, edged left over 3f out, soon lost place, 8th of 10, 5l behind Strike Force (9-0) at W'hampton 6f 3yo sll (6) pol in Mar.