raced wide in touch, ridden over 1f out, driven and ran on to lead near finish
led 1f, close up, not clear run and lost place over 1f out, kept on towards finish
keen held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
raced wide held up, ridden over 1f out, never a factor
always towards rear
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led after 1f, ridden 2 lengths clear approaching final furlong, headed near finish
in rear, not clear run entering final furlong, switched right ridden and ran on, not reach leaders
held up, headway on inside approaching final furlong, ran on
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Plenty of tangled form lines as is the norm in these handicaps at this time of year but it could pay to stick with EMERALD WILDERNESS. He did nothing wrong when making a strong bid over a longer trip here last Saturday and was clear of the field at today's distance. He'd earlier finished behind Loyalty but the latter threw a tantrum at the start here last week and finished last. There's little between Grey Mirage and Webbow on latest running but both have a bit to find on collateral form with Spirit Of Sharjah and Verse Of Love while recent Kempton winner Lowther remains on a decent mark on his best form.
Emerald Wilderness (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Chased leader, led over 8f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace and no impression, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Robin Hoods Bay (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Webbow (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Chased winner, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Grey Mirage (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
George Guru 3-1 (9-3) In touch, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 6, 2 3/4l behind Grey Mirage (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Spirit of Sharjah (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Led at slow pace, quickened tempo 3f out, left in 3 lengths lead 2f out, eased close home, unchallenged, won at Kempton 7f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol in Jan beating Chapter And Verse (9-2) by 2l, 3 ran.
Mr Red Clubs (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 8l behind Hamza (8-11) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug.
Verse Of Love 3-1 (9-5) Awkward start, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression inside final furlong, eased towards finish, last of 5, 4 1/2l behind Anaconda (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol in Jan.
Grey Mirage 11-4fav (8-9) Made all, hard ridden approaching final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec beating Webbow (9-7) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Rakaan (IRE) 4-7fav (9-7) Mid-division on inside, switched outside over 2f out, soon in touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong, always held, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Polar Kite (8-11) at Wolverhampton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Jan.
Loyalty 4-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, shaken up and no response 2f out, behind and eased final 100 yards, last of 10, 9l behind Mister Musicmaster (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Aquilonius (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Led, hung badly over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 14l behind Spifer (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan.
Askaud (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Chased leaders centre, ridden and lost place 2f out, weakened final furlong, 17th of 28, 16l behind Henry Allingham (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Lowther 3-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, held on well, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan beating Stir Trader (9-1) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
