led, ridden and hung right 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace
with leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, never dangerous
always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide, intouch, progress 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead and edged left inside final furlong
went to post early, pulled hard in touch, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
Tom Folan comes out best at the weights but hasn't shown anything this year and a better bet could be CLEAR ICE who gets the vote from Arken Lad. Dandy Nicholls has started the turf season in good form and is represented by our selection, a horse that has proved to be consistent at this sort of level all winter. It's a concern he's not yet won on turf but this will be the first time he gets to race on ground with cut and that should bring about some improvement. The gelding has won over this trip and looks set to run a big race in this average contest. Tom Folan should relish the ground and will go close if returning to his best form but he's been hopelessly outpaced in two runs at Kempton this season and can only be watched at present, with Arken Lad a more realistic threat to our pick. This horse won a fair maiden over this trip at Yarmouth last season and his pedigree suggests cut in the ground won't pose a problem, whilst he brings a run of solid recent form into the race. Thaliwarru is unexposed but shapes as though he might need a seventh furlong and can be taken on with that in mind. Hill Of Miller is another with claims at the weights and this is easier than some of the races he's contested, but our feeling is he's not quite up to this rating of 65 and may just struggle here along with Monte Mayor One and Kings Aphrodite, neither of whom have looked up to winning of late. The first-time visor could bring about some improvement from Special Betty but we're happy to side with Clear Ice in a race that will take very little winning.
Arken Lad 20-1 (8-3) Took keen hold, led early, prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Cobo Bay (10-0) at Wolverhampton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Mar.
Clear Ice (IRE) 5-2fav (9-4) Dwelt in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ridden and kept on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Flaxen Lake (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo sell stks (6) pol in Mar.
Hill Of Miller (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 18l behind Kummel Excess (8-12) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Mar.
Kings Aphrodite 20-1 (8-13) Keen tracked leaders, chased winner over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 13l behind Premium Charge (9-0) at Southwell 7f app hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.
Monte Mayor One 33-1 (8-4) Went left start, soon chased leaders on outside, ridden and weakening when carried right approaching final furlong, 11th of 12, 10l behind Living It Large (9-8) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Thaliwarru 85-40fav (9-2) In rear, heaway 3f out, effort 1f out, stayed on near finish, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Premium Charge (9-0) at Southwell 7f app hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.
Tom Folan 10-1 (7-13) Awkward and hampered start, held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, never reached leaders, stayed on same pace, 6th of 8, 4l behind Valentino Swing (9-8) at Kempton 6f clm stks (6) pol in Feb.
Young George 16-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, switched left halfway, soon no impression, 7th of 13, 6l behind Liberty Lady (9-6) at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar.
Special Betty 66-1 (8-2) Towards rear, struggling badly 2f out, 9th of 10, 17l behind Wanchai Whisper (8-7) at Kempton 5f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
