mid-division, headway approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, pushed out
held up in rear, shaken up over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, raced wide and held up, very wide in straight and headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong
pulled hard, tracked leaders, ridden and effort approaching 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
with leader until 2f out, ridden and soon weakened
There are a few of these with plenty of scope for improvement but on this occasion we will side with the well exposed Cherri Fosfate, Tendalay and River Prince may provide most danger. There was a lot to like about Tendalay's debut win but the weight consession to Cherri Fosfate may just prove too difficult a task and a placing is more likely. The selection is rated eight pounds higher than Jamie Osborne's charge and has run up to that mark on numerous occasions. He did in fact land a similar race to this at Wolverhampton back in January and he can regain the winning thread here this afternoon. Hat-trick seeking River Prince is progressing nicely and can't easily be dismissed and Iron Pearl is closely matched with the selection on last year's rating. However Cherri Fosfate's handicap form stands up to close scutiny and he gets the verdict.
Tendalay (USA) 13-8fav (9-3) Close up, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leader 1f out, ran on to lead final 100 yards, won at Kempton 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Jan beating Ginger Pop (9-3) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Cherri Fosfate 11-2 (9-4) Towards rear, ran on to chase winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Imprimis Tagula (9-6) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Feb.
Not Now Lewis (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong and weakened, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Go On Green (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Feb.
Suhayl Star (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, faded, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Still Crazy (8-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Strike Force 15-8fav (9-0) Prominent, led after 1f, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind River Prince (9-7) at W'hampton 6f 3yo clm (6) pol in Feb.
Iron Pearl 6-5fav (9-1) Mid-division, lost place 3f out, 8th of 10, 5l behind Grange Lili (9-2) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Bahama Gold 9-2 (8-9) Led 1f out, remained prominent, ridden in every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Jemima Godfrey (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 3yo clm (6) pol in Feb.
River Prince 7-2 (9-7) Always prominent, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f 3yo clm (6) pol in Feb beating Strike Force (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
