with leaders, led just over 2f out, driven clear final furlong
outpaced, never on terms
led to just over 2f out, weakened rapidly
pressed leader, ridden and beaten 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leading trio, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
outpaced, driven 3f out, some late headway final furlong, no chance
headway 2f out, chased leading pair entering final furlong, one pace and no impression
In this sprint, Smokin Beau gets the call ahead of If Paradise and Corridor Creeper. Smokin Beau comes out the best of these on official ratings and this speedball can make them all go at a track that we know he handles, being a course and distance winner. None of the others can boast that but Whistler, if at his sharpest at the first time of asking this season, Dragon Flyer, who was good enough two years ago to finish third in a Group 3 event here, If Paradise, who comes out second best on the ratings and who comes here on the back of a good Newbury win, and Corridor Creeper, who is two pounds worse off for the half-length that If Paradise beat him at Newmarket last October but lacks a run this year, have to be afforded respect. However, we will stick with Smokin Beau.
Corridor Creeper (FR) 5-1 Chased leader, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3l behind Matty Tun at Doncaster 5f hcp (C1) sft in Oct.
Dragon Flyer (IRE) 9-1 Led early, chased leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 7l behind High Reach at Nottingham 5f stk sft.
Foley Millennium (IRE) 8-1 Prominent, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 15, hd behind The Lord at Kempton 5f hcp gs.
If Paradise 9-2 Pressed leaders, led 2f out, ridden final furlong, ran on well, won at Newbury 5f hcp gs beating Orientor by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Smokin Beau 11-4fav In touch, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 10l behind La Cucaracha at Doncaster 6f lst stk gd.
Trace Clip 9-1 Slowly into stride, outpaced, ridden and no impression final 2f, 8th of 9, 4l behind Dutch Key Card at Lingfield 5f hcp (E3) pol in Jan.
Whistler 20-1 Chased leaders, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, weakened, 9th of 12, 5l behind Cape Royal at Doncaster 5f hcp gd.