held up in touch, chased leader 5th, led briefly after 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra flat
towards rear, ridden 3 out, left poor 3rd last, kept on same pace
pulled early and held up in mid-division, hit 3rd, weakened 5th
towards rear, headway and chased leaders 4th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
prominent until weakened after 5th
chased leader, reminder 5th, weakened approaching 6th
mid-division, ridden and every chance 2 out, 3rd and weakening when fell last
always behind, weakened 5th, pulled up before 3 out
soon led and jumped right throughout, mistake 3rd, headed 5th, weakened 6th
prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed briefly after 3 out, driven clear from last
mid-division, some headway 5th, weakened after 3 out
Desert Secrets gets the confident vote here, with Fair View and Floragalore rating the main dangers. The selection was a good second behind Restless d'Artaix last time out. That form sets the standard in the context of this race and, under similar conditions today, she need only run up to that mark to score. Fair View rates the main danger on her best form but she was pulled up for no apparent reason last time out behind Geeveem. However, this looks easier and she should be noted in the market. Floragalore is another that could go well as she has joined a top yard and it would be no surprise if she showed improved form. Of the remainder, Falcon Beneficial is from a yard in form and has shown enough in two runs to date to suggest she can get competitive here, but her future may lie in handicaps and, in a race where few can be fancied, for the winner we return to Desert Secrets.
Alexander Sapphire (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Mostly tracked leader from 4th to 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up in race won by Dearson (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Charmatic (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Press Express (8-10) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct (Flat).
Clare Galway 100-1 (10-0) Prominent, mistake 3rd, weakened 6th, 9th of 14, 30l behind Neveesou (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
Cresswell Willow (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) In touch, weakened halfway and pulled up in race won by Ben's Turn (10-10) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (D) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Fair View (GER) 66-1 (10-13) In touch until 4th, behind from 6th pulled up 2 out in race won by Geeveem (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft, 14 ran.
Floragalore 16-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, not clear run over 3f out, kept on steadily final 2f, 6th of 14, 8l behind Royal Stardust (10-9) at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) pol in Feb.
Desert Secrets (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Led, headed last, no chance with winner flat but kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 16, 8l behind Restless D'artaix (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Falcon Beneficial (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) With leader to over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 11, 17l behind Safari Adventures (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft.
