led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner and lost 2nd inside final furlong
held up 4th, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
in touch on inside, quickened to lead over 1f out, clear final furlong, pushed out comfortably
tracked leader, pressed leader over 4f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up last, headway on outside to chase leaders 2f out, soon ridden, unable to challenge, weakened 1f out
Despite only a quintet being declared this is another tough race for punters and WAJAHA is the one for us, while all the others have some sort of claim. The John Gosden-trained selection confirmed the promise of her Newmarket debut with a Great Leighs maiden win in October. She reappears here over a trip that remains ideal. Her Newmarket handler has his runners in tremendous form, and with a fair bit more likely from the Haafhd filly we will side with her. Kaolak struggled from this mark here last time but may just have needed it after a break and a market check is advised. Pearl Of Manacor stepped up well to this trip here last time when a close third. First-time headgear is tried tonight and that could bring about further improvement, so he looks a leading player, especially with a 1lb pull for a half-length defeat by Pegasus Lad in the recent race. Mark Johnston's colt is entitled to figure prominently himself, while Satwa Gold represents the in-form Ed Dunlop and looks reasonably treated for this handicap debut. Preference, however, is for the likely improver Wajaha.
Pegasus Lad (USA) 5-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, chasing winner and every chance 2f out, stayed on towards finish, always held, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Statute Book (8-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Satwa Gold (USA) 20-1 (8-8) In touch, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, pushed out, readily, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Capeability (8-8) by 1l, 10 ran.
Wajaha (IRE) 8-11fav (9-0) Held up towards rear on outside, headway to track leading pair over 2f out, shaken off to lead approaching final furlong, pushed clear, won at Great Leighs 1m 2yo mdn fll (4) pol in Oct beating Charlotte Point (9-0) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Kaolak (USA) 8-1 (8-6) Led narrowly after 1f, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no extra and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 7l behind Saint Arch (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Mar.
Pearl of Manacor (IRE) 4-5fav (8-11) Held up, hard ridden and outpaced 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd final 75 yards, 3rd of 5, 1l behind Statute Book (8-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
