held up in 3rd, closed over 2f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in 5th, ridden and headway 2f out, chased winner 1f out, stayed on towards finish, always held
took keen hold, held up in 4th place, hard ridden over 1f out, one pace, no impression
tracked clear leader, pushed along and closed over 2f out, hard ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on under pressure
steadied start, held up last, ridden and no response over 1f out
led and soon well clear, reduced lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
TOUS LES DEUX can reverse recent form here with Jake The Snake, while Fremen who was third in that race should also be considered. There's a big swing in the weights in favour of Gary Moore's charge which could prove decisive. He'll want there to be a decent pace, but it'll be interesting to see whether they'll revert to hold up tactics. Although Jake The Snake is a regular winner on the polytrack, being slowly away can be a problem, albeit one he overcame a fortnight ago in what was a similar contest to this. Amy Baker comes here for this one booked ride. Fremen ended a two year losing streak three races back to win an apprentice handicap at Lingfield, and like the selection will be helped by a good gallop. Scartozz is an interesting one, running at this sort of level for the first time since coming from Italy a year ago. Previously racing exclusively in handicaps here, he's got the highest rating, but hasn't shown any great form. Tous Les Deux has plenty in hand at the weights, even with the other pair on the shortlist having claimers on board, and having been pulled out of a handicap later in the evening to run at this lowly level, we think he can land the spoils.
Eastern Gift 11-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed close home, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Carnivore (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Jake The Snake (IRE) 11-4 (8-11) Started very slowly and lost several lengths, in rear, headway and behind main group halfway, headway over 2f out, stayed on steadily to lead inside final furlong, asserted near finish, won at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol beating Tous Les Deux (9-4) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Fremen (USA) 5-4fav (9-2) Rear of main group, ridden over 2f out, not pace to trouble leaders, kept on to take 3rd near finish, not trouble 1st 2, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Jake The Snake (8-11) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol.
Scartozz 9-1 (9-4) Chased leader, after 2f, challenged over 6f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 8, 6l behind Faithful Ruler (8-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Mar.
Tous Les Deux 9-4 (9-4) Took keen hold, led after 2f, ridden 2f out, kept on, no extra when headed inside final furlong, outpaced towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Jake The Snake (8-11) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol.
Colonel Sherman (USA) 13-8fav (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Dishdasha (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Feb.
