tracked leader to 5f out, weakened over 2f out
started slowly, towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, not troubled winner
towards rear, headway to chase lead over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear
prominent on outer to halfway, weakened 5f out
started slowly, behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd final furlong, not troubled leaders
towards rear, headway well over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not troubled leaders
prominent, lost place 5f out, soon in rear
led well clear over 2f out, weakened quickly and headed over 1f out
started slowly, held up, went 3rd over 2f out, no extra and weakened over 1f out
started slowly, in rear, late headway final 2f, never dangerous
mid-division, no impression 2f out, soon weakened
behind, never on terms
prominent on outer, went 2nd 5f out to over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Khanjar is a tentative choice in this amateur riders' event, where Love You Always and Alasil are also respected. The last named does face a stiff test at the weights and needs a touch of luck on these terms. That said, he is on an attractive mark and cannot be confidently ruled out. Love You Always was unlucky at Wolverhampton last time and will be a big threat if he gets the breaks in running this time around. It will be interesting to see if his connections opt for a change of tactics this afternoon. However, preference goes to Khanjar, who is a perfect ride for an amateur and, with this trip sure to be more to his liking, we expect a big run from the gelding today.
Alasil (USA) 16-1 (8-5) Led early, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 6l behind Dart Along (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Khanjar (USA) 15-2 (11-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Lobengula (11-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol.
Leighton Buzzard 16-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 11, 6l behind Scutch Mill (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Equilibria (USA) 5-1 (10-7) Badly hampered over 8f out, headway 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 10, 14l behind Blue Hedges (10-8) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Bramcote Lorne 14-1 (8-12) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 5l behind Global Strategy (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Razed 33-1 (7-13) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon lost place, last of 8, 22l behind Rebellious Spirit (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Love You Always (USA) 20-1 (10-5) In rear, not clear run and switched right over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Scottish River (11-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol.
Missouri (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, driven to lead over 1f out, edged left and kept on final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 3f mdn clm (7) fbs in Dec beating Mayyas (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.