led early, prominent, not clear run on inside and switched right over 1f out, went 2nd and hanging left inside final furlong, no impression on winner
broke well, held up, headway from 2f out, led 1f out, ran on
pushed away from stalls, soon racing keenly and led after 1f, hung left and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 2nd 6f out until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, hung left and 2nd briefly inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up, switched right and effort over 1f out, no impression, weakened inside final furlong
Poetic Force is five from seven on the all-weather though he's never run here. His recent hat-trick was hard-fought and he steps up in class off a higher mark. He had SHAMROKH a head behind at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago but the latter was a bit unlucky in-running and was having only his third start so is taken to go one better. Mailshot's form figures are flattering as he invariably runs in small fields and he looks a few pounds high while Mutawatheb hasn't been seen since October and has yet to run on an artificial surface. Dreaming Time could be anything as she won narrowly though with something in hand at Lingfield. Makaarim gained a comfortable victory at Wolverhampton in December but couldn't quite get to Tisbutadream at Kempton last month though was conceding 6lb.
Mutawatheb (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) Led, driven and headed 2f out, soon ridden, rallied to regain narrow lead, held on well, won at Doncaster 1m (3) gd in Oct beating Society Red (8-7) by nk, 7 ran.
Mailshot (USA) 9-4 (9-7) Led, pushed along and rider lost whip over 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 3, nk behind Spirit Of Sarwan (8-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Shamrokh (IRE) 11-8fav (9-7) Raced keenly, tracked leader, pushed along to lead 2f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, rallied, just held when slightly hampered towards finish, 2nd of 4, hd behind Poetic Force (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Makaarim 7-4fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, upsides winner 1f out, held inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Tisbutadream (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Poetic Force (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Held up tracking leaders in 4th, good headway into 3rd 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, edged left towards finish, held on gamely, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Shamrokh (9-7) by hd, 4 ran.
Dreaming Time 5-1 (9-0) Made all, driven 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m mdn fll stks (5) pol in Feb beating First Moon (9-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
