set steady pace, ridden to quicken pace over 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on but no extra
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on well
tracked leader, challenged 3f out, briefly short of room entering final furlong, kept on
held up behind leaders, ridden 3f out, little impression, no pace to make challenge
held up behind leaders, ridden 3f out, little impression, not pace to make challenge
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
Only 5lb separates the runners here and the most tentative of votes goes to recent winner KING SUPREME ahead of Jabal Tariq. The selection has a 6lb rise in the weights for his recent stroll in the park at Brighton. The form doesn't look anything out of the ordinary but he is still open to more improvement and his wins at Brighton may have prepared him for this unique track. Dear Maurice returns from his winter off and he has claims off this mark of 81, which is now only 3lb higher than his last winning mark; any further easing in the ground would not suit him. Cupid's Glory has six career wins to his name, but he signed off last year with two abject runs. He was quite well-fancied on each occasion and he may be better than he was able to show over the winter on the all-weather. Jabal Tariq represents an in-form trainer and he should come on for his reappearance at Pontefract where he was disappointing, Mystery Star has been put back up to a mark of 85 following a close second at Yarmouth, whilst King Olav looks high enough in the weights on this return to the turf. A tricky start to the card but we will side with recent winner King Supreme.
King Olav (UAE) 18-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders to over 2f out, kept on, weakened final furlong, 12th of 16, 7l behind Greylami (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Mystery Star (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge and every chance inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 8, nk behind Serious Choice (7-11) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Jabal Tariq 11-2 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 12l behind Ladies Best (8-7) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Apr.
Cupid's Glory 9-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, always in rear, behind final 2f, last of 6, well behind Sgt Schultz (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Dear Maurice 6-1 (8-8) Always in rear, struggling over 2f out and never dangerous, last of 8, 23l behind Siberian Tiger (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcap (2) sft in Sep.
King Supreme (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr beating Riqaab (9-1) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
