mid-division, hampered over 4f out, headway to track leaders 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace
in rear, hampered over 4f out, ridden over 1f out driven, ran on to take 3rd final strides, not reached leaders
in rear, hampered over 4f out ridden and ran wide into straight 2f out, never dangerous
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out went 2nd inside final furlong, soon no impression
dwelt soon mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
tracked leaders, looked to breakdown over 4f out, soon pulled up
led 1f, tracked leader, led again 5f out ridden and headed 2f out, weakend 1f out
led after 1f, headed 5f out, tracked leader, regained lead 2f out, soon headed weakened final furlong
mid-division, hampered over 4f out ridden and weakened 2f out
dwelt in rear, never on terms
This is another competitive handicap in which SUNSHINE ALWAYS is given the chance to reverse form with Totally Focused, although Hereford Boy is not dismissed lightly. Our selection is up 2lbs to a mark of 79 having been narrowly held last time, when he travelled powerfully before just failing to get up. With Jim Crowley back aboard, we expect him to travel kindly once more and hope the gaps arrive when required, as we've no doubt he's capable of winning off this mark. Totally Focused beat our selection by a neck last time and plenty will fancy the form to be confirmed, but a 1lb turnaround and the belief they'll go a good gallop swings the balance towards the Tim McCarthy runner. Hereford Boy arrives in grand form and he's effective over seven furlongs, so with Robert Havlin in the plate again he'll be finishing well in his bid to defy a penalty. Hawaana looks well enough treated and arrives in good order but he might need a mile plus, whilst Gallantry will do well to reverse previous form with Hereford Boy despite these revised terms. Istiqdaam was beaten a long way at Southwell last time but shouldn't be discounted back on a more suitable surface, and he's of more interest than Prince Of Thebes who wins in his turn but may not have the gears to be competitive here. Indy Driver wins less than he perhaps should but conditions are ideal so an improved effort awaits, whilst Herschel won a hurdle contest last time and surely wants further than this to be seen to good effect. Another close finish is in store here, but Sunshine Always can get up if he gets the gaps.
Totally Focussed (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Slowly away, switched right after start to inside, held up, smooth headway on inner well over 1f out, led over 1f out, ridden out final furlong and always holding on, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan beating Sunshine Always (9-3) by nk, 12 ran.
Hawaana (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up and keen, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Poyle Meg (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Sunshine Always (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd final 50 yards, closed on winner, always held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Totally Focussed (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
Hereford Boy 3-1fav (9-1) Held up in last pair, good headway over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating Rapid City (8-9) by nk, 6 ran.
Gallantry 3-1fav (9-3) Tracked leading pair, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 2l behind Hereford Boy (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Red Suede Shoes 15-2 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 12, 6l behind Totally Focussed (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
Gaily Noble (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 11, 9l behind Snow Bay (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Indy Driver 14-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, hampered after 2f, soon mid-division, never on terms, 5th of 13, 5l behind Mister Green (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Istiqdaam 5-1 (8-13) In touch, lost place over 2f out, 10th of 11, 34l behind Ours (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Jan.
Prince Of Thebes (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Led, ridden and narrowly headed 2f out, still every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 3l behind Hereford Boy (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Kinsya 10-1 (8-5) Always behind, 10th of 13, 8l behind Audemar (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jan.
Herschel (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden and hung right from 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge, 4th of 11, 3l behind Strathcal (9-4) at Newbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
