close up, ridden, weakened over 2f out
held up mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to lead briefly 1f out, edged right and not pace of winner
slowly into stride, soon pushed along, never travelling well, never near leaders
held up, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden , one pace from over 1f out
led, ridden, headed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders, lost place, dropped to rear over 3f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on final furlong
headway after 2f to go prominent, ridden, led over 2f out, headed 1f out, soon weakened
chased leader, led over 4f out, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened
patiently ridden in rear, smooth headway on outside from over 2f out, quickened well to lead inside final furlong, edged left, ran on
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Newnham is in the form of his life and is difficult to oppose so we will side with him to continue his hot streak in this handicap with Dower House and The Violin Player rated as the main dangers. The selection won his fourth race in a row at Wolverhampton last time when beating Desperation. That form has since been franked by Desperation who won at Wolverhampton on Monday and we are happy to stick with Newnham to lead them home today. The Violin Player has to be of interest as he finished narrowly behind our selection last time and he does have a pull in the weights today. Dower House also finished behind our selection last time and is better off at the weights here, but he was well-beaten that day and he is not the most straightforward. Gingko shaped as though returning to form last time and is another to consider, but for the winner we will stick with the in-form Newnham.
Dower House 16-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, help up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 7l behind Newnham (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
The Violin Player (USA) 12-1 (9-1) Held up, behind, ridden over 2f out, headway on outside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 1l behind Newnham (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Newnham (IRE) 5-2fav (8-4) Led 1f, always prominent, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Desperation (8-3) by a nk, 12 ran.
Gingko 20-1 (8-10) Behind, good headway wide over 1f out, ran on well final furlong to take 2nd towards finish, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 9, nk behind Barry Island (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Shakerattleandroll (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division until weakened over 2f out, 14th of 15, 13l behind Captain Margaret (7-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Tromp 13-2 (9-4) In touch, led narrowly 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Dovedon Hero (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Just Fly 6-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, effort entering final furlong, ran on, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Barry Island (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Flying Spirit (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Disputed lead, took lead over 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 11l behind Papeete (10-10) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Zamboozle (IRE) 7-2 (8-7) Reared up leaving stalls, started slowly, held up and behind, not clear run on inside over 2f out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Newnham (7-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (4) pol in Feb.
High Hope (FR) 4-1 (9-10) Close up, ridden over 3f out and soon beaten, 5th of 7, 11l behind Stoop To Conquer (9-11) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (E) gs in Aug '04.
