took keen hold, chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, well beaten over 1f out
awkward and missed break, behind, driven over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never on terms
held up, took keen hold, ridden on outside over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
led early, prominent, driven over 1f out, edged right entering final furlong, kept pn
chased leaders on inside, not much room briefly just inside 4f out, effort over 1f out, not much room and switched right entering final furlong, not pace to get on terms
chased leaders, went 2nd 4f out, stayed on inside final furlong, led close home
held up, headway on inside over 1f out, went 3rd well inside final furlong, ran on
not much room and went right start, soon mid-division on outside, no impression from over 1f out
held up, ridden 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
soon led, edged right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, headed close home
Owney Madden won a decent nursery at York last term though is 8lb higher on his return to action having been gelded. Cobra Eye drops in class for his handicap debut and reappearance while Waddat, Sunset Breeze and Intrepid Italian have all shown progressive winning form in lower grade sprints and rise in the weights. Never Dark’s earlier success at Kempton came over 5f and MINHAAJ was last seen in action winning over the minimum trip at Newcastle. The Haggas filly is taken to improve further now handicapping and gets a speculative vote in a competitive opener.
Cobra Eye (8-12) last of 9, 25 1/4l behind Milltown Star (8-12) at Chantilly 7f lst stks (1) hvy in Nov.
Owney Madden 13-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders centre, driven over 2f out, ridden and lost place over 1f out, outpaced final furlong, 7th of 17, 7l behind Aberama Gold (8-8) at Ayr 6f (2) gd in Sep.
Waddat (IRE) 5-2 (9-6) Raced keenly, made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on gamely, won at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Mount Mogan (9-4) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Never Dark 14-1 (8-0) Raced far side centre, led, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 21, 8 1/2l behind Art Power (9-0) at Ascot 5f hcp (2) gs in Jun.
Minhaaj (IRE) 8-13fav (8-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd inside final 2f, led over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well, comfortably, won at Newcastle 5f stks (5) pol in Dec beating Gowanlad (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Sunset Breeze 9-4fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader when edged left from over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Newmarket 6f hcp (5) sft in Jun beating Dana Forever (9-2) by 1l, 9 ran.
Intrepid Italian 4-7fav (10-1) Restless stalls, towards rear, towards rear, plenty to do 2f out, headway entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Jun beating Alex Gracie (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
One Night Stand 8-11fav (9-5) Chased leaders, driven over 1f out, one pace and beaten 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Bluebell Time (9-7) at Chepstow 5f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
Majestic Sands (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Towards rear, not clear run on inside 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 11l behind Meraas (8-13) at Pontefract 6f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Vandad (IRE) 7-2jfav (9-7) Slowly into stride, raced keenly in rear, never on terms, last of 7, 8 1/4l behind Almqvist (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Dulas (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) Held up in touch, took keen hold, ridden 2f out, not much room over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 9l behind Danyah (9-7) at Doncaster 7f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
