awkward and slowly away, always in rear
held up towards rear, switched right 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
pressed leader, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
chased leaders, switched right and closed 2f out, led entering final furlong, ran on well, clear towards finish, comfortably
led, headed over 3f out, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
keen early, towards rear, some headway over 1f out, no impression
Sherdil has the beating of Highest Ambition and Debit Card on these terms though has failed to build on last year’s third at Thirsk and returns to novice company. Em Jay Kay made a promising debut when third at Lingfield last week but has switched yards since and ALIA CHOICE is preferred. The latter finished fourth behind horses rated much higher than these at Newcastle on last year’s debut and Kevin Ryan’s filly can go close with normal progress.
Highest Ambition (FR) 15-8fav (9-5) Keen tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Tantastic (9-5) at Southwell 5f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Em Jay Kay 4-1 (9-5) In touch, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Dirty Martini (9-0) at Lingfield 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Sherdil (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Chased leaders, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 7 3/4l behind Texas Man (9-6) at Haydock 5f (5) sft in Oct.
Tabeeb 22-1 (9-0) Raced keenly chasing leaders, edged left and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 17, at Newbury 6f stks (5) gf in Jul.
Alia Choice 9-1 (8-11) Prominent, pushed along to challenge 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind Kaboo (9-9) at Newcastle 5f stks (5) pol in Dec.
Debit Card 20-1 (8-7) Led, ridden and hung left to far side rail over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Nickleby (8-12) at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Enlightenment (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Slow to break, held up in rear, raced keenly, headway and switched right over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Bare Necessity (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f fll stks (5) pol in Jan.