slowly into stride, keen, ridden over 2f out, no impression
led, headed after 2f, led again 7f out, weakening when headed 2f out
held up, ridden and good late progress to take 3rd well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, ran on to take 2nd well inside final furlong
mid-division, effort 2f out, one pace
tracked leader, led after 2f, headed 7f out, led again briefly 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders throughout, led approaching 1f out, ridden clear
Nonrunner
Fandangerina and Allanit merit close attention but SCARAB could be the one. The yard's form is encouraging and there should be more to come from this six time raced son of Machiavellian. He didn't appear to be anything out of the ordinary on his first three starts and has been beaten in his three handicap outings but they were solid efforts. Arguably the best of them came over course and distance and this looks winnable as holes can be picked in the others. Allanit has dropped 16lbs since his first appearance in this country, Fandangerina is with a respected yard and open to any amount of improvement at this longer trip but she has been off for a while, Profit's Reality seems difficult to catch right these days and has yet to convince on the all-weather whilst Jamie Spencer will need all of his skill to time his run on hold-up performer Bassinet. Remember Ramon is another that needs things to fall right, Mafeking appears handicapped to the hilt as may Spirit Of Adjisa be now and Mission Of Control is out of the weights but won well enough in December to enter calculations. A good heat which may see Scarab emerge on top.
Allanit (GER) 20-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, never in contention, 8th of 11, 14l behind Suits Me (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Mafeking (UAE) 12-1 (9-1) Keen in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 6l behind Sgt Schultz (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Profit's Reality (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Awkward start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Folio (8-7) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Spirit of Adjisa (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden to lead over 3f out, pressed inside final furlong, held on well final 100 yards, won at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Oct beating Force Group (8-10) by a nk, 16 ran.
Bassinet (USA) 11-2 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 22l behind Turban Heights (9-7) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Remember Ramon (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Never dangerous, 6th of 12, 7l behind Bullet Man (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Scarab (IRE) 6-4fav (8-8) Led early, chased leader, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Clear Reef (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Fandangerina 5-2 (9-0) Made all, ridden over 2f out driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Nov '07 beating Counterclaim (9-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Mission Control (IRE) 3-1fav (8-13) Mid division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, never able to challenge, 6th of 11, 3l behind El Diego (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) std.
