towards rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
close up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
wide and headway to join leader after 2f, led over 5f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra
very slowly away, in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, never nearer
towards rear, pushed along 2f out, never on terms
tracked leader 2f, tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, in rear when broke down over 1f out, pulled up
raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led, headed over 5f out, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, led again approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong
A couple of these faced tougher tasks last time including Engrave, who finished second over track and trip and can figure again. But THE BAY WARRIOR (NAP) was beaten only a neck over course and distance a fortnight ago and Mark Usher’s charge gets the vote dropping down a couple of grades for this. Kardinya gets a change of headgear as he steps back up in trip while better was expected from Star From Afarhh last time and cheekpieces are applied.
Yakhabar 66-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never involved, 6th of 7, 5 3/4l behind Hopeman Harbour (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Star From Afarhh 11-1 (9-5) In rear, ridden over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Forge Valley Lad (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
The Bay Warrior (IRE) 7-2 (8-6) Led, ridden 2f out, headed narrowly entering final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Storm Catcher (9-9) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Kardinya (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Off the pace in last trio, never involved, 7th of 13, 3 1/4l behind Kingwell (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Kells (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Keen, set strong pace, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 6 3/4l behind One Step Beyond (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Pillars Of Earth 14-1 (9-9) Held up in 5th, quick move out wide over 2f out, chased leaders and wide home turn, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 3/4l behind City Escape (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Engrave 11-2 (8-7) Raced keenly, led, went clear 6f out, reduced lead 4f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed and kept on inside final furlong, headed and no extra inside final 150 yards, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Jenson Benson (9-1) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Boasty (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Led and set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind City Escape (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.