keen on outside, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
hampered start, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong
went right start, ridden 2f out, faded final furlong
in touch, ridden and squeezed through over 1f out, led soon after and ran on
always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, held when hampered over 1f out
towards rear, effort 2f out, stayed on, not toubled leaders
broke well, headed after 1f, ridden 2f out, kept on
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, plugged on
A decent end to the card with some in-form performers and we will plump for Prime Factor ahead of the unexposed Premier Danseur and Asian Power. The selection has had three starts to date and won over this course and distance on his second run. He then went on to finish a fairly close up fourth to the decent yardstick New York Oscar and with further improvement likely, he is fancied to oblige. Premier Dansuer must rate a danger but he faces tough competition on his handicap debut but he could be anything, especially when he steps up in trip. Northern Bolt scored well on softened ground last time and needs a check in the betting on his return, whilst Fathsta and Taladavil are both fairly consistent but arguably high enough in the weights. Emperors Jade is not straight-forward but should be a player given nominal improvement, whilst Asian Power ran well behind Thebes over this C+D last time and has place claims again. Incomparable was progressive on the turf last time out and should continue to progress this year but he will need to to defy this handicap mark of 81, whilst Balata could run into a place off bottom weight now stepped back up to six furlongs. A tough race for punters to finish with, and the narrow vote goes to Prime Factor.
Northern Bolt 12-1 (8-13) Made all, kept on well, won at Ayr 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gs in Sept beating Elizabeth Swann (8-11) by 2l, 16 ran.
Tadalavil 15-2 (8-4) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led narrowly 2f out, soon headed, kept on until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 5l behind Always Ready (8-7) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Incomparable 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leader, led 2f out, headed 1f out, staying on when hampered by loose horse close home, kept on, won at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Nov beating Orange Pip (8-12) by 1l, 10 ran.
Fathsta (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Keen, ridden to chase winner final furlong, always held, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Underworld (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Sofia's Star 20-1 (9-4) Took keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway, soon one pace, 6th of 8, 5l behind Thebes (8-12) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Premier Danseur (IRE) Evensfav (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Nov beating Minus Fifteen (9-3) by a nk, 9 ran.
Emperors Jade 13-8 (8-7) Led, jinked right and headed 2f out, stayed pressing leader, ran on near finish to regain lead final strides, won at Kempton 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Mar beating Mr Rev (9-6) by a nk, 6 ran.
Enodoc 66-1 (9-2) Never a factor, 7th of 12, 6l behind Hadaf (9-1) at Kempton 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (5) pol in Oct.
Asian Power (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 1f out, no impression and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4l behind Thebes (8-12) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Balata 8-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Masada (8-12) at Bath 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Naughty Frida (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 7l behind Paco Boy (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 3yo lst stk (1) pol in Mar.
Prime Factor 7-2 (8-12) Soon in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Mister New York (8-12) at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb.
