tracked leaders, pulled hard early, ridden to challenge 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, soon ridden, ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong, readily
held up in rear, never dangerous
behind, headway over 1f out, never on terms
always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, headway over 1f out, never nearer
tracked leaders, lost place well over 1f out
led, took keen hold, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
settled in mid-division, under pressure 2f out, never on terms
An exciting contest in which AREEDA is preferred to Midfielder, Duellist and Huygens. Clive Brittain's Refuse To Bend filly was outpaced at Lingfield last time when dropped in trip but should be happier over this longer distance today. She looks sure to win races off her current mark of 75 and she should see out this distance, although it's not guaranteed on breeding. Marosh has been mopping up in weaker races over the past three months but has more on the plate here, Sweet Child O' Mine looks a bit of a fibresand specialist, whilst Juicy Pear has run well here before. He might not be straightforward but lets hope that the commentator treats his jockey with a bit more respect than Dave Smith did last time. Midfielder is the potential blot in the race. He won readily at Wolverhampton last time out and looked to have learnt plenty from his sole run here as a juvenile, however from a wide draw the race may not be straightforward. Duellist is up 5lb for a defeat at Lingfield and that looks a bit tough, whilst Avon River and Navajo Chief remain capable of better, especially the latter as he drops in grade. Highland Quiche impressed here last time but a 9lb higher mark demands more, so a bigger threat may be Huygens. He lost little caste in defeat here in December after a break and he looks capable of winning off his mark of 84. Competitive stuff, but preference is for Areeda.
Navajo Chief 66-1 (8-12) With leader, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, last of 14, 17l behind Carnaby Street (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Huygens 7-1 (9-4) Tracked leader and keen, led well inside final furlong, caught close home, 3rd of 7, hd behind Danger Mulally (8-6) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Highland Quaich 11-4 (9-2) Pulled hard in rear, headway and not clear run over 2f out, soon switched left and not clear run over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead well inside final furlong, all out, won at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating Khanivorous (9-4) by 1l, 7 ran.
Avon River 22-1 (9-7) Chased leaders on outer, edged right 3f out, hung badly right 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 7l behind Contract Caterer (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Duellist 10-1 (9-3) Always prominent, every chance from well over 1f out, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Dream On Buddy (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Midfielder (USA) 2-1fav (8-9) Held up in touch on inside, smooth headway 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb beating West Emirates (9-12) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Juicy Pear (IRE) 5-6fav (8-8) Broke well soon steadied to rear, took keen hold, switched right over 2f out, challenged from over 1f out, soon hung left, ridden to lead inside final furlong, asserted near finish, won at Southwell 1m mdn auc stks (6) fbs beating Privy Speech (8-3) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Areeda (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Tracked leading pair, effort and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finsh, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Private Olley (8-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Marosh (FR) 15-2 (8-11) Held up towards rear and keen, headway over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Ginger Jack (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Sweet Child O'mine 13-8fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, every chance 2f out, hung right and led over 1f out, ran on, won at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating First Post (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
