steadied rear, headway centre over 2f out, ridden to press leaders over 1f out, not quickened final furlong
in touch, chased winner 3f out to over 1f out, driven and not quicken entering final furlong
tracked leader, stayed alone towards far side straight, driven and edged right towards main group over 1f out, no impression final furlong
held up behind main group, driven and stayed on from over 1f out, never dangerous
always prominent, slightly hampered entering straight, effort to chase winner over 1f out, kept on under pressure but no impression near finish
in touch, effort over 2f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, held up in rear, pushed along entering straight, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never nearer
made all, dictated pace, hard ridden and kept on gamely final furlong
in touch, pushed along early straight, one pace and no impression final 2f
prominent until weakened quickly over 2f out
Shazhan House looks to have a really solid chance here and he is taken to get his head in front at the main expense of Wunderwood and Counsel's Opinion. The selection travelled well for a long way but he didn't find much at Pontefract last time when second behind Danelor. However, that was his first run since October and he may have just needed the race, and as he has got form on this track he looks to have a decent chance of scoring here. Wunderwood ran in some hot races last year and is entitled to plenty of respect in this company. If he is ready to do himself justice on his seasonal reappearance then he could go well. Counsel's Opinion won well at Doncaster last time when beating Compton Bolter. However, this is tougher and a place is probably the best that he can hope for. Island Sound is from a yard in flying form and he is another worthy of consideration, especially if the market speaks in his favour. However, Shazhan House looks to have solid claims and is taken to score.
Counsel's Opinion (IRE) 9-2 Held up towards rear, headway on inside to lead 2f out, ridden and kept on gamely final furlong, held on, won at Doncaster 1m 4f stk gd beating Compton Bolter by a nk, 6 ran.
Wunderwood (USA) 8th of 14, 7l behind Valentino at Bordeaux Le Bous 1m 1f Grp 3 sft in Oct.
Island Sound 5-1 Led and soon clear, ridden and headed just over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Pentecost at Newbury 1m 1f stk (B2) gs in Sept.
Artistic Style 9-1 In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Zilch at Newcastle 7f hcp sft.
Shahzan House (IRE) 3-1jt-fav Tracked leaders, chased winner and going well over 1f out, soon ridden, one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Danelor at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp gs in Mar.
Temple Place (IRE) 20-1 Held up in rear, moderate effort over 2f out, no impression, 17th of 20, 15l behind Kew Green at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-105 gs in Mar.
Crow Wood 25-1 Behind, some headway from over 1f out, never dangerous, 12th of 20, 10l behind Kew Green at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-105 gs in Mar.
King's Thought 7-1 Led, headed well over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Jath at Ripon 1m 2f stk hvy.
Tiger Tiger (FR) Slowly into stride; in rear; ridden from halfway; last straight; never dangerous, 10th of 11, 23l behind Afghan at Nad Al Sheba 1m 2f hcp gd in Feb.
Dumaran (IRE) 11-1 Led after 2f, headed approaching final furlong, one pace, 4th of 20, 1 1/2l behind Kew Green at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-105 gs in Mar.
