in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, led 2f out, ran on well
mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner inside final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leader, lost place over 4f out
always towards rear, tailed off
mid-division, ridden over 5f out, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
always prominent, led over 4f out, driven, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace
behind, headway well over 2f out, kept on, never able to challenge
in touch, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on, never on terms
always behind
held up towards rear, pushed along over 7f out, soon beaten, tailed off
led, headed over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, lost place 4f out, tailed off
The presence of Taxman means that five of these have to race from 1lb out of the handicap. Fade To Grey landed quite a gamble for connections over course and distance back in January and although this will be a tougher test he could still have something in hand despite receiving a hike of 13lb for that victory and he is the selection with Salut Saint Cloud, Arabian Sun and Ernmoor likely to others battling it out in what is a real puzzle to solve. Salut Saint Cloud has his own beliefs about the game but if he was on a going day he would take all the beating. He showed a semblance of his old form last time, when travelling well throughout the contest and seemingly enjoying running through beaten horses. Simon Whitworth does get on particularly well with him and he is the one to beat. Arabian Sun likes to be on the pace but is just vulnerable to those finishing with a rattle while Ernmoor has been contesting class 7 contests throughout the winter and getting in the placings. Fade To Grey is our pick to post win number two around this circuit.
Taxman (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 12, 10l behind Smokey The Bear (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Feb.
Lady Dedlock 9-1 (8-3) Mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden, edged right over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 3l behind Doubly Guest (8-12) at Bath 2m 1f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Salut Saint Cloud 7-2 (8-7) Held up in touch, pushed along over 6f out, chased leaders 4f out, stayed on strongly towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Dubai Ace (9-10) at Lingfield 2m hcap (6) pol in Feb.
Arabian Sun 7-1 (8-9) Led, pressed over 2f out, soon headed, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Coda Agency (8-12) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Finished Article (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 5th of 11, 8l behind Court Of Appeal (10-11) at Southwell 1m 4f amt clm stk (6) gd in Apr '07.
Fade To Grey (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, chased leaders 3f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, led final half furlong, all out, won at Kempton 2m Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan beating Mujamead (8-7) by a nk, 13 ran.
Starstruck Peter (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 7th of 11, 9l behind Dubai Ace (9-10) at Lingfield 2m hcap (6) pol in Feb.
Ocean Rock 25-1 (8-12) Behind, not much room on inner over 1f out, no headway final furlong, 10th of 14, 5l behind Granary Girl (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Nod's Star 16-1 (8-11) In touch, chased leader until over 4f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 40l behind Right Option (8-1) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sept.
Ernmoor 15-2 (8-8) Took keen hold in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 14, 4l behind Granary Girl (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Vanishing Dancer (SWI) 33-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, under pressure 3f out, weakened quickly, 10th of 13, 10l behind Medieval Maiden (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Working Late 40-1 (8-4) Towards rear, some progress 6f out, no further impression, 5th of 8, 8l behind Buscador (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Huggle 16-1 (8-7) Behind, ridden over 3f out, some modest progress final 2f, never nearer, 8th of 14, 11l behind Sovietta (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Mar.
Tetragon (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 7l behind Sovietta (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Mar.
