in touch, led after 1f, ridden along 2f out, driven and headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
held up, headway 2f out, driven to lead briefly entering final furlong, headed and kept on same pace
behind, never a factor
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always rear division
held up, headway over 2f out, switched left to the inner 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on
held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
took keen hold to lead, headed after 1f and remained in touch, driven 2f out, one pace final furlong
dwelt, soon prominent, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
BLUE NOODLES is selected to get his nose in front for the first time today, while Foreign Investment, Wotatomboy and Valdemar are potential dangers. The David Barker-trained selection showed little in three maidens as a juvenile and was thrashed on her seasonal return at Southwell last month. However, back in maiden company here last time she went well over what was arguably an inadequate 6f. The return to today's trip looks a plus and with conditions to suit we'll side with her. Foreign Investment has a 50 per cent strike rate with two wins from four starts and so is given due respect. David Evans' filly has won those Polytrack races at Wolverhampton and will hopefully handle fast ground on her turf debut, but a 4lb rise for her last narrow success makes this tough enough. Wotatomboy showed some form on firm ground last season and she has stamina on the dam's side, so this step up to 7f should be fine for her and she will be competitive from 2lbs higher than her recent Southwell win. Alan Brown has his yard in form if he can get going quicker than when tried over course and distance in a recent seller then Valdemar would have a squeak. Rising Kheleyf encounters fast ground for the first time and if handling it would have possibilities from this mark, but we will take Blue Noodles to score.
Blue Noodles 28-1 (8-13) Prominent, led 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Al Mugtareb (8-13) at Catterick 6f mdn stks (5) gf.
Foreign Investment (IRE) 9-4 (8-13) Chased leader, led 2f out, edged right over 1f out, hard ridden final furlong, just held on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Abu Dubai (9-4) by hd, 5 ran.
Wotatomboy 13-2 (8-5) Squeezed for room soon after start, chased along, headway on inner over 1f, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Oct beating Captain Kallis (8-10) by nk, 7 ran.
Kladester (USA) 3-1fav (9-6) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 19l behind Andean Margin (8-13) at Southwell 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Secret City (IRE) 18-1 (8-10) Chased leader until weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 9l behind Speedy Guru (8-4) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gs in Oct.
Rising Kheleyf (IRE) 25-1 (7-12) Behind, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, stayed on well final furlong, 4th of 13, 5l behind Go Go Green (8-12) at Pontefract 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (5) gd in Oct.
Top Flight Splash 7-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and one pace final 2f, 4th of 10, 8l behind Halaak (8-6) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Valdemar 25-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong, 4th of 14, 10l behind Splash The Cash (9-4) at Catterick 7f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gf.
Nassau Beach (IRE) 11-1 (8-13) Dwelt, soon chasing leaders, kept on final 2f, 5th of 9, 6l behind Tiger Reigns (8-13) at Catterick 6f mdn stks (5) gf.
Wicklewood 66-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 11l behind Chasca (8-7) at Lingfield 6f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Mar.
