mid-division and keen, ridden 2f out, soon lost place
in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and one pace final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed well over 1f out
prominent and keen, ridden and weakened 2f out
always going well, quickened to lead well over 1f out, soon clear
slowly into stride, never dangerous
slowly into stride, mid-division, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, no impression
IMAAM and Equipe De Nuit stand out in this field and should have the race between them; third place is harder to decipher but Aahaygran and If Only have possibilities. Imaam bids to become John Dunlop's first winner in March since 2006 and will need to banish the memory of a desperately disappointing final appearance at Pontefract in September. He was sent off at long odds-on his final two starts having chased home smart performers on his first two outings but it's surely relevant that his connections have kept the faith and plenty of Pivotals improve with age. Equipe De Nuit changed hands for 42,000 guineas in October following a couple of useful performances. The second of them saw him finish second to the subsequent Group 3 winner and Dewhurst sixth Ashram; a couple of those in behind have gone on to win races too and he boasts sound credentials. The likes of If Only and Aahaygran have shown a modicum of ability but nothing to match the form of the main protagonists, of whom Imaam is selected.
Admiral Arry 66-1 (9-3) Slowly away, recovered to lead after 1f, headed inside final 3f, weakening when hampered over 2f out and soon virtually pulled up, last of 10, well behind Bluebell Ridge (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Oct.
Avertitop 15-8fav (8-11) Held up, pushed along halfway, headway to chase leader well over 1f out, soon every chance, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Boldinor (9-5) at Leicester 6f sll (6) gd in Jun.
Mr Rev 25-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, not quicken, 5th of 14, 4l behind Wunder Strike (8-4) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
My Flame 11-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden halfway, hung left over 2f, eased when weakening inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 6l behind City For Conquest (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Nov.
Fuzzy Cat 11-1 (8-11) In rear, headway over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 6th of 7, 10l behind Trumpstoo (9-0) at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn c&g (5) hvy in Oct.
If Only 4-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 5l behind Princess Zohra (8-4) at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb.
Imaam 2-5fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 12, 9l behind Big Apple Boy (9-3) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Independent James (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost 3rd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 5, 6l behind Best In Class (8-8) at Kempton 1m mdn auc (5) pol in Feb.
Sams Spirit 8-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, green and always behind, last of 6, 11l behind Sanvean (8-3) at Kempton 1m mdn stk (5) pol.
Straboe (USA) 66-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 13, 42l behind Saint Arch (9-3) at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Aahaygran (USA) 7-2 (9-0) In touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Zaaqya (9-0) at Doncaster 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gd in Jul.
Love Allowed 33-1 (8-12) Raced wide in touch, ridden and hung left from 3f out, weakened entering final 2f, 9th of 10, 7l behind Fantastic Dubai (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Stylish Mover 66-1 (9-13) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 14l behind Head Down (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol in Mar.
Equipe de Nuit 5-1 (9-3) Led, soon clear, still 6 lengths clear over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened and headed towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Ashram (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn auc (4) gs in Aug.
