chased leading pair, went 2nd 5f out, led over 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong
chased leaders, effort on outside to 3rd entering final 2f, kept on under pressure final furlong, not quite able to challenge
steadied start, held up in rear, headway on outter over 1f out, went 4th final 135 yards, never going pace to challenge
mid-division on inside, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in last pair, ridden in rear 3f out, moderate headway inside final furlong, never a factor
held up in mid-division, good headway on inside over 2f out, ridden and chased winner well over 1f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, always just held
pressed leader, led 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, chased winner until well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, led for 2f, soon settled in 3rd, pushed along 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
Bahri Sheen finally opened his account when scoring over course and distance last time but is only one of several with a chance in a wide-open race. Arabian Flight and West Leake also have decent claims on the back of recent placed efforts while the likes of Bowstar and Community should be winning at this level soon. Ermyntrude is not out of this either but was engaged to run here yesterday so a speculative vote goes to CAPE CROSSING, who is less exposed than most and expected to improve on his handicap debut.
Bowstar 9-4 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Garrisson (9-3) at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Arabian Flight 4-1 (9-6) Always prominent, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Flag Of Glory (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-68 (6) pol.
Bahri Sheen (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up and behind, good headway on inside over 2f out, led well over 1f out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Norwegian Reward (9-4) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Community (USA) 9-2 (9-3) Prominent, driven to challenge over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, eased final furlong, 5th of 8, 6l behind Mubtadi (9-0) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Moheebb (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Flag Of Glory (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-68 (6) pol.
West Leake (IRE) 7-2 (8-9) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Golden Desert (9-4) at Kempton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Gallantry 25-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 10l behind Mubtadi (9-0) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Cape Crossing 12-1 (9-0) Chased leading pair, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Frontier Fighter (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol.
Ermyntrude 7-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in mid-division, headway and switched left over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression on leaders, 4th of 14, 4l behind Whinging Willie (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Litmus (USA) 14-1 (8-2) Dwelt, pulled hard in mid-division, headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 10, 1l behind Mubtadi (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.