raced stand side, mid-division, ridden, headway over 2f out, soon one pace
raced stand side, mid-division, ridden, weakened 3f out
raced stand side, slowly into stride, always towards rear
raced stand side, held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, never nearer
raced stand side, chased leading pair, ridden 3f out, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
raced far side with one other, led that pair to halfway, soon behind
raced stand side, chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out
raced stand side, chased winner, ridden over 2f out, challenged winner approaching final furlong, soon outpaced
made all, set searching gallop, soon 4 lengths clear, ridden 2f out, challenged approaching final furlong, responded well, forged clear towards finish
carried right start, chased leader far side, led that pair halfway, hung left over 2f out, never on terms with stand side
slowly into stride, raced stand side, in rear, switched right 3f out, good headway 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced stand side, mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened
raced stand side, held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, kept on, never nearer
A tricky one, but Oarsman is expected be good enough to see off the likes of Glorious Gift and Pravda Street, while market support for Contrada would also be noteworthy. The last named was an expensive purchase and it will be very disappointing for his connections if he did find a race within his capabilities. There were positive signs on his debut at Newbury last October and, with Richard Hughes doing the steering, he is likely to be a popular choice. Paul Cole has a handle on the worth of that form, so Pravda Street is another worthy of consideration. The son of Soviet Star showed his inexperience when just outfought on his solitary start last term. Still, that was a very pleasing introduction and he is sure be a lot wiser this time around. Glorious Gift represents a yard that has hit the ground running this season and Peter Chapple-Hyam¿s charge is a likely contender at this level. The step up in trip is in his favour and a big run is expected. However, it is hard to escape the claims of Oarsman (a stablemate of Contrada), who really caught the eye on debut last September. He is a half-brother to the high-class Lateen Sails and, with the form of his debut working out so well (the winner finished the season on a rating of 108) the Khalid Abdulla-owned colt is the one to be on here.
Bartercard (USA) 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Sundowner (8-10) at Lingfield 1m mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.
Valdemar Victory Inchinor gelding out of Park Crystal.
Running Supreme 100-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling, 9th of 10, 20l behind Underworld (8-9) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb.
Contrada 25-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, niggled along over 4f out, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 7th of 13, 8l behind Strategic Mission (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Glorious Gift (IRE) 6-5fav (9-3) In touch, not much room over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Errigal Lad (9-3) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sept.
Hibou de Nuit (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Started slowly, always rear, hanging right 3f out, never a danger, tailed off over 2f out, last of 8, 42l behind Mullein (8-12) at Kempton 6f 3yo mdn (4) pol in Mar.
Mick's Dancer 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 12, 2l behind Crosstar (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Oarsman 9-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, soon in mid division on outside, headway over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Iguazu Falls (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Sept.
Pravda Street 3-1jt-fav (9-3) Prominent, chased winner over 3f out, outpaced 1f out, stayed on well and closed on winner near finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Dhhamaan (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Nov.
Street Devil (USA) 11-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, behind, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Desert Thistle (9-3) at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Sunny Spells 25-1 (8-12) Always last, ridden 2f out, kept on, last of 5, 6l behind Lucullus (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol in Mar.
La Zarza 50-1 (8-5) Keen, mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 20l behind Sundowner (8-10) at Lingfield 1m mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.
Polychrome 66-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Top Draw (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Feb.
Zayyir (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Led, ridden halfway, headed 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 7, 11l behind Yamal (9-0) at Lingfield 6f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.
