chased leader, ridden 2f out, not quicken and outpaced final furlong
steadied start, took keen hold in rear, still on bit over 1f out, ridden and strong run on outer inside final furlong, took 2nd final strides, not reach winner
towards rear, lost touch from 2f out, soon well behind
led, pressed approaching final furlong, headed and no extra inside final furlong, lost 2 places close home
mid-division, effort on inner 2f out, stayed on one pace from over 1f out
steadied start, prominent in 5th, effort over 1f out, no extra, one pace final furlong
took keen hold, prominent, on outer, effort over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, chased leader over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
Ektimaal gets the nod as the one to be on, while Crystal Gazer and Baby Strange are the most interesting from the others. Baby Strange takes a drop in grade and, having been shown some leniency by the handicapper, has a feasible chance of overcoming top weight in this company. Still, he has obviously endured training problems and needs to conclusively prove he retains some of the ability he held as a juvenile. Crystal Gazer is from a yard in-form that always has to be feared at this time of year. Richard Hannon usually gets his string firing for the start of the Flat season and it would be no surprise to see this fellow boost the coffers for the campaign ahead. Others to note in the betting include: Fromsong - a veteran sprinter that still possesses a good burst of speed on his day, while Benllech is lightly weighted and, as he is in great heart. He will try his heart out in rising to the challenge today. However, Ektimaal is the most interesting now that he tries sprint distances for the first time. A draw in stall eight will help him use his cruising speed and, with Alan Munro no doubt bursting with enthusiasm to re-establish his place in the pecking order, everything looks to be in place for a big run from Ed Dunlop's charge today.
Baby Strange 18-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced, last of 9, 26l behind Jack Sullivan (9-3) at W'hampton 7f lst stk (1) pol.
Ajigolo 11-2 (9-1) Chased leaders until weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 7l behind Orpsie Boy (8-13) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Tony James (IRE) 22-1 (8-8) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 6l behind Capricorn Run (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Fromsong (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Held up and wide, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Halsion Chancer (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Financial Times (USA) 7-2 (9-10) Held up behind, headway 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, took 2nd near finish, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Came Back (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Crystal Gazer (FR) 8-1 (8-13) Keen, led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Secret Night (8-12) at Lingfield 7f fll hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Distinctly Game 11-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden to lead narrowly inside final furlong, soon headed, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Orpsie Boy (8-13) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Benllech 4-1 (9-3) Held up, headway on inside over 2f out, switched right entering straight, challenged final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Financial Times (9-1) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Ektimaal 4-1 (8-6) Raced wide, in rear, ridden and ran on well final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 12, 4l behind Atlantic Story (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
