chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in touch, ran on under pressure inside final furlong
pressed leader, led halfway, driven and hung right over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, ran on
led to halfway, weakened quickly 2f out
pulled hard tracking leaders, ridden to challenge and every chance entering final furlong, soon driven and not look keen and no extra final 75 yards
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, quickened to lead entering final furlong, ridden out
always rear
held up in touch, effort on outside 2f out, unable to quicken final furlong
Rowe Park gets the call over Diane's Choice, with Lucayos, River Kirov and Forest Dane all expected to go well. Rowe Park lines up having won four of his last six starts on the all-weather, and although beaten over six furlongs last time, the margin was only a short-head, and so hopes are high that he can get back to winning ways straight away. Although he meets Lucayos on worse terms now, he has had a bit of a break and should feel the benefit in a bid to maintain that form. Diane's Choice was only just touched off in a class 3 handicap here in September, and was also not beaten far at Kempton in that grade last time. This drop in class should help, and he looks a big danger. River Kirov will go on the ground and may be one to follow this season, but he has been absent since September, and it is difficult to know whether he will be straight enough to do himself justice. Forest Dane is useful but seems best over five furlongs, and with that in mind we return to Rowe Park as the answer.
Mujood 11-2 (9-2) Led for 1f, tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, soon lost place, last of 7, 6l behind Raza Cab (8-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Diane's Choice 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, ran on final 100 yards and closing at finish, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Saviours Spirit (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Rowe Park 5-2fav (8-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd well over 1f out, pressed winner well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Lucayos (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Lucayos 11-2 (8-3) Led early, pressed leader, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 3l behind Lady Livius (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Azygous 20-1 (8-9) Soon pressed leader, effort 2f out, not quicken, last of 10, 9l behind Lucayos (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
River Kirov (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 2l behind Paris Bell (8-10) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Forest Dane 17-2 (8-4) Prominent, chased leaders 2f out, effort over 1f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 2l behind Matuza (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Scarlet Flyer (USA) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division until weakened over 1f out, 14th of 15, 13l behind Woodcote Place (9-1) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
