keen, tracked leader until 4f out, remained close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
raced wide, held up mid-division, edged left over 6f out, reminders soon after, driven 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, nearest finish
held up towards rear, hampered over 6f out, ridden 2f out, hung left and kept on inside final furlong, never near leaders
steadied start, always in rear
mid-division, headway to 3rd over 2f out, soon ridden and kept on same pace
steadied start in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression
close up, ridden to chase leader 4f out, driven 2f out, looked held until left in lead towards finish
dwelt, held up, ridden over 3f out, no impression
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and hung left over 1f out, soon carried head high, hung badly left towards finish and gave race away
A few ifs and buts as in most three year-old handicaps at this time of year but there are reasons to believe that Haydens Mark can defy topweight, possibly at the main expense of Mazaaya and Winter Bloom. The selection showed bundles of promise when a close fifth behind Iguazu Falls at Kempton in September and confirmed that impression when winning readily at Lingfield. The second that day has been beaten off a mark of 80 but was backed as though defeat was out of the question whilst the fifth home was impressive on his handicap bow. Martyr is creeping up in the weights but that shouldn't prevent this tough individual from running his race. Legislation races as though this step up in trip will suit and it should also suit Vettorenjoy and Mazaaya who have to be respected. Malibu Girl made a smooth debut in October and is sure to have her supporters whilst Winter Bloom is bred for this test. All in all an intriguing heat which should provide us with some pointers for the future but we'll take Haydens Mark to hit the target today.
Haydens Mark 2-1 (8-9) Broke well, soon in touch, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Lingfield 1m mdn stk (5) pol in Feb beating Maslaha (8-4) by 2l, 6 ran.
Martyr 2-1fav (9-6) Always prominent, led 1f out, soon ridden and held on gamely, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Love Empire (8-2) by a hd, 7 ran.
Legislation 20-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 2l behind Silver Rime (9-2) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Malibu Girl (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Started slowly, towards rear, headway 2f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Oct beating Divine Power (9-0) by 2l, 13 ran.
Winter Bloom (USA) 5-2fav (8-8) Prominent, led over 4f out, edged left and headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 9th of 12, 5l behind Talk of Saafend (8-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll hcp (2) gf in Oct.
Vettorenjoy 8-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway on outer halfway and in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 10l behind Cordell (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Mazaaya (USA) 10-1 (8-10) In touch, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 16, 4l behind Jack Dawkins (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Agente Romano (USA) 3-1 (8-11) Held up, headway and wide on outside over 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Always A Rock (9-0) at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Apr.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 5-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Southwell 1m 3yo mdn (5) fbs in Jan beating Key News (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sheer Bluff (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Keen in touch, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 7l behind Centennial (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
