slowly into stride, outpaced and behind, pushed along halfway, kept on final furlong, never nearer
slowly into stride, outpaced, never trouble leaders
tracked leader, led narrowly over 1f out, ridden out
soon led, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leading pair, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, kept on
pushed along in mid-division, outpaced from halfway
Quite a difficult conditions event to solve here and the tentative vote is given to Capricorn Run to land it despite his indifferent form of late. Last seen contesting a listed contest at Wolverhampton, the selection missed the break there which all but destroyed his chances. While 6 furlongs could well be on the sharp side, Capricorn Run will be coming home strongly. Berbice was last seen in the Free Handicap at Newmarket's Craven meeting where the market suggested he was in need of the outing. He was very progressive throughout his juvenile year but it remains to be seen how he copes with the surface. Tamagin rounded off last year with two fine victories over this trip. Now on a career high mark and the likely pacesetter here, Kevin Ryan's charge won first time out last year which is an encouragement for his supporters. Fajr is a real admirable flag bearer for the Kelleway outfit but whether the pace will be strong enough for him is the question. The all-weather regular Capricorn Run gets the vote.
Capricorn Run (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Started very slowly, in rear 2f, ridden and some progress over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 19l behind Jack Sullivan (9-3) at W'hampton 7f lst stk (1) pol in Mar.
Fajr (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Raced far side, with leader, pulled hard, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 18th of 21, 30l behind Smokey Oakey (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Nota Bene 40-1 (9-6) Always rear of far side group, 18th of 26, 15l behind Dark Missile (8-6) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gd in Jun.
Tamagin (USA) 2-1fav (9-5) Made all, led, pressed over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov beating King's Caprice (8-9) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Woodnook 28-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 13, 7l behind Cartimandua (9-7) at Nottingham 6f lst fll stk (1) gd.
Berbice (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, driven and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 6l behind Stimulation (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Jebel Tara 25-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 13th of 28, 5l behind Exclamation (8-13) at Newmarket 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Oct.