slowly away, held up in 5th, improved on outside to press winner 2f out, no impression and lost 2nd entering final furlong, one pace
took keen hold, pressed winner over 1f, remained close up, ridden to regain 2nd entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, no impression
chased leaders, pressed winner over 3f out until 2f out, beaten over 1f out
went left start, took keen hold, tracked leaders, short of room briefly over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
made all, ridden and edged right from over 1f out, ran on well
A closely-matched little handicap with a strong pace likely. TEXAS QUEEN has a tasty swing in the weights with Breathless Kiss and is selected ahead of Lucky Mellor. Joe Fanning wasn't at his best on the selection last time out but she still looks progressive and she should run well off this 4lb lower mark. Breathless Kiss is interestingly fitted with blinkers today following that win last week where she led from pillar to post. She was highly-thought of as a juvenile and there is every chance that she will come on for that recent win so is not passed over lightly. Lucky Mellor also wears the shades and this strong traveller seemed to click with Neil Callan when they last teamed up for victory. He needs to be held on to for longer today but looks a player. As is R Woody who has been running well all winter and this consistent gelding doesn't have much to find with Texas Queen and Lucky Mellor on recent clashes. Athwaab completes the line-up and this course winner is another who is closely linked with all of his rivals on runs this winter. A lightening fast pace would suit this six furlong winner, however the narrow vote goes to Texas Queen.
Breathless Kiss (USA) 7-2 (8-11) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Texas Queen (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Lucky Mellor 7-1 (9-2) Keen hold, led after 1f, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 6, 1/2l behind Clifton Bridge (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
R Woody 13-8fav (9-4) Soon led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 4, 3/4l behind Texas Queen (8-13) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Texas Queen 7-2 (8-12) Held up in touch, widest of all entering straight, kept on from over 1f out to go 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Breathless Kiss (8-11) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Athwaab 13-2 (8-5) Soon outpaced and behind, headway over 1f out, ran on, not reach winner, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Clifton Bridge (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
