led 1f, stayed prominent, ridden over 2f out, no headway over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always behind and outpaced final 2f
always towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and no progress over 1f out, soon one pace
pulled very hard towards rear on inside, headway 2f out, ran on to chase leaders well inside final furlong, finished well and gaining fast close home
led after 1f, headed by winner after 2f, stayed tracking winner, stayed on strongly final furlong, just failed
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 2f out, every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led after 2f, ridden clear 2f out, hard pressed well inside final furlong, just held on
in rear, headway on outer from 2f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
Course and distance winners a-plenty in this open contest, and the tentative vote goes to Romany Nights ahead of Cornus, Morse, and Sir Douglas. Gay Kellaway has had two winners of late after a quiet spell and with this in mind, her stable could gain another boost with Romany Nights who has been rejuvenated by the application of a tongue-tie along with his usual blinkers. John Egan has also been in good form of late and he still looks on a feasible mark. Dangers lurk everywhere though, none more so than Ron Harris' Sir Douglas who won well last time out but has a 4lb rise in the weights to overcome. Morse's form stands up to inspection and looks very solid in the context of this race although he needs a true gallop. Inch By Inch is consistent although a wide draw won't help his chances, whilst Cornus bounced back to form last time out but isn't guaranteed to reproduce his effort today. In a tight contest, we will return to Romany Nights to land the spoils.
Morse (IRE) 3-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong to take 3rd, not trouble leading pair, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Distinctly Game (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Inch By Inch 20-1 (8-10) Led 1f, ridden to lead again well over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Silent Storm (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Romany Nights (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind, good headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Taboor (8-9) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Cornus 25-1 (8-6) Dwelt, headway over 2f out, ran on final furlong to lead near finish, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb beating Garstang (9-2) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Russian Rocket (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Chased leaders in 4th, outpaced halfway, plugged on under pressure final furlong but no chance, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Turn On The Style (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Sir Douglas 9-2jt-fav (8-9) Mid-division, good headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and hung left from well over 1f out, ran on to lead near finish, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Nepro (8-13) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Effective 6-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 21l behind Count Cougar (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Cool Sands (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, outpaced, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 9, 4l behind Count Cougar (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
