made all, quickened clear over 1f out, comfortable
raced wide tracked leaders, chased winner 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked winner after 2f until 4f out, lost place over 2f out
dwelt took keen hold, held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway to chase clear winner over 1f out, no impression and lost 2nd inside final furlong
in touch, not clear run 2f out, ridden and headway to chase clear winner entering final furlong, no chance
keen close up, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
close up, ridden and hung right 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
A very nice prize to start the evening and MATTERHORN can add to his ever-growing tally of victories. He’s up 8lb for his latest success in a similar-class event at Chelmsford, where he looked a pattern-race performer, and can defy the extra. Executive Force is also in tremendous form having completed a four-timer at Chelmsford and though that was in Class 4 company he receives 16lb from the selection. Ghayadh has won three times on Turf but showed little in two all-weather starts and hasn’t run since September while Dark Red is on a long losing run but has dropped to a very fair mark as a consequence. None of the remaining trio can be dismissed in a competitive opener.
Matterhorn (IRE) 5-4fav (9-7) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, well in command inside final furlong, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (2) pol in Feb beating Tough Remedy (8-11) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Dark Red (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) 11th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Major Partnership (8-13) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Feb.
Kyllachy Gala 12-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, driven over 2f out, ridden and lost place over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 4 3/4l behind Pactolus (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Nonios (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Raced keenly in rear on inside, switched right and effort 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Book of Dreams (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Executive Force 9-4 (9-11) Held up, switched right and effort last bend, led inside final furlong, edged left, stayed on, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Forbidden Planet (9-7) by nk, 4 ran.
Ghayadh 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Bath 1m hcp (4) fm in Sep beating Macaque (9-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
Oasis Fantasy (IRE) 3-1 (9-12) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Sep beating Groveman (8-12) by nk, 5 ran.
