tracked leader 2nd, led after 5th, ridden out, just held on
led, headed after 5th, outpaced after next, kept on under pressure from 2 out, took 3rd flat
held up mid-division, headway 6th, chased winner after 2 out, driven and ran on near finish, just failed
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner 6th until after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader until 2nd, ridden and weakened 6th, behind when pulled up 2 out
held up in touch, ridden 6th, weakened next
held up in rear, headway 2 out, never dangerous
always in rear
steady start, pulled hard and behind, ridden and some headway 3 out, eased approaching last
Aleemdar gets the narrow vote in a tight race for punters to call with Ethan Snowflake and Arkholme rated as the main dangers. The selection was well beaten in a seller last time out behind Irish Blessing. But that was on soft ground and with the return to this faster surface sure to suit he looks the value bet in a trappy affair. Ethan Snowflake would be a danger to all on his best form but he has looked far from straightforward on occasions and the fitting of first-time blinkers strikes as a sign of desperation. Arkholme is one of the least exposed in the field and if he is fit after a 487 day absence he would not be far away. However, he is another that is tried in blinkers for the first time. Protocol is well-in on his best form but appears to have regressed of late while Chariot is from a yard in form. However, for the winner we will stick with Aleemdar.
Arkholme 4-1 (11-0) In touch, mistake 5th, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 10, 22l behind Young Patriarch (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gs in Nov '04.
Ethan Snowflake 4-1co-fav (11-9) Held up, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 29l behind Needwood Spirit (10-2) at Fakenham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
Protocol (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Mid-division, hit 3rd, lost place and ridden 5th, soon behind, 8th of 12, 29l behind Irish Blessing (11-6) at Leicester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Aleemdar (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (11-1) Towards rear, headway 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 12, 15l behind Irish Blessing (11-6) at Leicester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Chariot (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Behind, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 16, 9l behind Barella (11-0) at Ludlow 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jan.
Macreater 16-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, lost place before 3 out, 13th of 18, 36l behind North Landing (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Dec.
Power And Demand 8-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 5th of 18, 6l behind Colway Ritz (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.
Ray Mond 25-1 (9-9) Pulled hard, soon chased leader, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened after next, 4th of 10, 25l behind Needwood Spirit (10-2) at Fakenham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
