keen led, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, stayed on
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakening when bumped approaching 2f out
tracked leader, ridden, hung badly left and led narrowly over 1f out, not looked resolute inside final furlong, caught post
dwelt, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden headway on inside over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up in rear, ran wide into straight 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ran on to lead post
held up, headway when hung left approaching 2f out to go 4th, ridden and no extra inside final furlong
LASTKINGOFSCOTLAND isthe highest rated here by a mile and has six pounds in hand on Ravi River who makes our shortlist along with Murrin, who's one of two to have tasted success over course and distance. In handicap terms, Lastkingofscotland is gaining more than a stone from Ravi River, and that could be the key here, although neither of them or indeed any of the runners, are in great form. Jim Best's only runner on the card hasn't won since a successful debut in Ireland last year; last time out he was last but one in a much better race at Southwell, and this is his first time on the Polytrack here, having tried it once at Dundalk without any success. He's far from a world-beater, but this is a poor contest. Ravi River's four wins have all come over seven furlongs, and he's yet to really impress over a mile. Murrin's not won for more than a year, and may need the race after being off the track since November, and the same's the case for Wrighty Almight who's had an even long lay-off. It's a minimum stakes race for us, with tentative preference for Lastkingofscotland.
Ravi River (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Held up in 4th, stayed on inside final furlong to press for well held 3rd, never any chance with front pair, 4th of 5, 4l behind Ilie Nastase (9-7) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol in Jan.
Cavalry Guard (USA) 10-1 (8-6) Raced in mid-division on outside, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Ejeed (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
Lastkingofscotland (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 10th of 11, 26l behind Snow Bay (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Lord Deevert 5-1 (8-0) Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Kipchak (8-8) at Lingfield 7f Claimer (0-75) (4yo+) (6) pol in Jan.
Murrin (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Hurakan (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Woolston Ferry (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Sir George (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Jan.
Wrighty Almighty (IRE) 10-3 (9-9) Keen, chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, ridden and some headway 2f out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 7l behind Steig (9-8) at Brighton 1m clm stks (6) gd in Jun.
Luisa Tetrazzini (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Chased leader, ridden and bumped over 2f out, one pace and losing place when ridden and bumped again over 1f out, 5th of 10, 8l behind Straight Face (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
