made all, ridden 2f out, ran on
held up, effort over 1f out, no impression final furlong
close up, ridden to chase winner 1f out, no impression near finish
in rear, effort over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, no impression near finish
tracked winner until over 1f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden 2f out, never troubled leaders
slowly away, recovered after 1f, always in rear, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on one pace
SUNSHINE ALWAYS has been threatening to put an end to his long losing run and went close again over C&D on his latest start when runner-up to Eastern Gift. Michael Attwater's charge is given another chance here. Willow Dancer was placed on his last five starts last season which strongly suggests he's in the handicapper's grip, but Wolverhampton maiden winner Spice Run is interesting on his return from a lengthy absence and is worth noting. Striding Edge was second over a longer trip here in October and Cool Hand Jake is back on a winning mark for his return to action.
Willow Dancer (IRE) 7-2fav (9-3) Tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed when no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Elijah Pepper (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Cool Hand Jake 12-1 (9-7) Dwelt, always towards rear, last of 13, 41l behind Robust Wish (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Sunshine Always (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Led, headed over 7f out, in touch in chasing group, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 13, hd behind Eastern Gift (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Hereford Boy 33-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 8th of 13, 14l behind Eastern Gift (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Global Village (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway on inner over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 13, 9l behind Double Carpet (8-9) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Striding Edge (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway and wide bend 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Shallow Bay (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Spice Run 7-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, switched right approaching 2f out, wide, headway soon after, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov '09 beating Zegna (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Ilie Nastase (FR) 14-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 11l behind Beau Fighter (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.