dwelt, took keen hold behind leaders, led over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on well under pressure
steadied start, held up, headway over 2f out, challenging, held when not clear run approaching final furlong, soon beaten
tracked leaders, chased leaders 2f out, soon weakened
held up, under pressure over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, not reached winner
in touch, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, never on terms
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon no impression
prominent, hard driven and under pressure over 3f out, soon weakened
A race full of slowcoaches and the incapable and it's THREE BOARS that receives our recommendation although Champagne Shadow and Little Carmela have claims. Three Boars was once a useful sort around Southwell and while this is a different surface, he has now dropped back to a winnable mark. The booking of Robert Winston appears positive. Champagne Shadow looks on the downgrade these days. He was some 25lb higher at this stage last year so that tells its own tale. Little Carmela disappointed over course-and-distance so needs to find improvement. Ice Bellini is yet to completely convince over this trip. That said, Jamie Spencer is booked and this is a poor race. Peas 'n Beans is a long standing maiden. Enthusius is better known as a hurdler these days though has won over 1m4f on the flat in the past. Not a race to linger over and Three Boars is no more than a token selection as a consequence.
Little Carmela 8-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway to track leaders over 4f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Dayia (9-11) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Double Spectre (IRE) 22-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, no headway, weakened 2f out, 11th of 16, 14l behind Mistress Eva (8-7) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Three Boars 14-1 (9-5) Soon settled into mid-division, lost place over 3f out, no impression after, 7th of 13, 12l behind Lady Pilot (10-0) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Ice Bellini 7-2 (9-4) Mid-division, effort 4f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 9l behind Three Strings (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Nov.
Enthusius 4-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway from 2f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead post, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Ice And Fire (10-8) at Lingfield 2m amt hcp (6) pol in Dec '07.
Peas 'n Beans (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) Held up, some progress 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 9l behind Zuwaar (9-2) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Champagne Shadow (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4f out, last of 11, 13l behind Wind Flow (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Charleston 66-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, joined leader over 6f out, soon ridden, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 14, 27l behind Ice And Fire (10-8) at Lingfield 2m amt hcp (6) pol in Dec '07.