held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
held up in rear, shaken up over 1f out, ran on to lead and edged left at post
held up in touch, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, switched inside to lead 1f out, caught post
tracked leader, led 3f out, hung right and headed 1f out, kept on same pace
(ran without tongue strap), close-up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, soon eased
Evident Pride is the most consistent horse in the lineup and is taken to get his head back in-front, with Active Asset and Birkside heading the shortlist. The selection steps up to this trip for the first time after finding the drop to seven furlongs too sharp last time out. Only beaten a length on that occasion, the form has been franked by the winner going in twice since and with regular partner Dane O'Neill in the saddle again, he looks sure to mount a bold bid. Active Asset made a pleasing reappearance when second last time out and rates the main danger to the selection, however Mick Quinn's horses are yet to hit top form and so he is opposed today. Birkside should strip fitter for his recent run over a mile here eight days ago and now upped in trip he has solid claims, whilst at a bigger price the once-classy Barathea Blazer has the ability if consenting to show his best. Jebel Ali cannot be discounted as a course and distance winner but he is out of form at present and so we will return to Evident Pride as the selection.
Barathea Blazer 8-1 (9-8) Led until headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 7l behind Melpomene (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Cactus King 9-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 12, 13l behind Alpine Reel (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Evident Pride (USA) 5-4fav (9-9) Slowly into stride, ridden and switched left over 2f out, stayed on well, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Dichoh (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Jebel Ali (IRE) 4-1 (8-6) Mid-division until ridden and weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 15l behind Sgt Schultz (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Birkside 7-4fav (10-0) Led, driven and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 8l behind Warm Embraces (8-8) at Lingfield 1m mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.
Suits Me 8-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, some headway over 2f out, one pace, 6th of 13, 5l behind Harare (7-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Active Asset (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, slightly outpaced over 1f out, stayed on inside last, 3rd of 11, 2l behind I Have Dreamed (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
