mid-division, driven along over 2f out and soon beaten
slowly into stride, held up in rear, shaken up and moderate headway final furlong
chased leaders, chased winner 2f out, unable to cut in final furlong
soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly
held up in mid-division, headway on inside 2f out, soon one pace and never reached leaders
dwelt, towards rear, driven over 2f out, plugged on at one pace, final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace over 1f out, no impression on front pair final furlong
in touch, driven to chase leaders 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, driven along 2f out, kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
took keen hold, led early, chased leaders over 5f
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, readily
held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
Zahm gets the tentative vote in this competitive handicap with Tybalt and Strikeen rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Emerald Wilderness, he enters handicaps off what looks a handy mark and under conditions that suit he looks the one to be on. Tybalt rates the main danger as he also won well when last seen defeating Dance Spiel, he is held in high regard and should be closely watched in the market, but the suspicion is he may just need the run after a 178-day absence. Strikeen is another that could go well as he was progressive last season but he looks weighted up to his best and he looks vulnerable to a less exposed type. Of the remainder, Safe Investment is another held in high regard but may be seen to better effect with more cut in the ground, while Heywood has been working well at home and could go well at a price, but for the winner we are happy to return to Zahm.
Strikeen (IRE) 4-6fav (9-10) Prominent, every chance and hung left approaching final furlong, carried right and one pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, nk behind Nicada (8-12) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Heywood 5-1co-fav (8-12) In rear, never nearer, 9th of 13, 6l behind Market Day (9-5) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Tybalt (USA) 4-7fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, quickened clear inside final furlong, readily, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct beating Dance Spiel (9-3) by 2l, 13 ran.
Dora Explora 16-1 (9-7) Raced centre, bumped start, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 21l behind King Charles (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 2yo hcp (2) gf in Sept.
Safe Investment (USA) 13-8fav (9-5) In touch, ridden to chase winner 2f out, pressed winner final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind My Learned Friend (8-12) at Lingfield 7f nov stk (4) gd in Aug.
Putra Square 9-4 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Sunshine Kid (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Bed Fellow (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) In rear, headway and not clear run 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Ten A Penny (8-8) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Eau Good 11-2 (9-1) In touch, ridden 2f out, chased winner 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Regal Parade (9-1) at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp (4) fbs in Feb.
Diysem (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked winner until ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, 4th of 5, 13l behind Rallying Cry (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2yo stk (2) pol in Sept.
Salient 7-4fav (9-7) Led, driven along from 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra final furlong, last of 4, 1 1/2l behind Solid Rock (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-95 (4) pol in Nov.
Zaham (USA) 2-5fav (8-8) Made all, soon led, shaken up over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m mdn stk (5) pol in Mar beating Emerald Wilderness (8-8) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Lazy Darren 33-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, shaken up over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 5l behind Man of Vision (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
