prominent, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, squeezed through on inside over 2f out, driven to lead 1f out, soon clear
in touch, not much room when ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
held up, headway on inside over 2f out, hard driven final furlong, kept on to press for 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
prominent, went 2nd 3f out to approaching final furlong, driven, kept on under pressure to regain 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
held up, hard ridden, no headway final 2f
led, shaken up and headed 1f out, chased winner, no impression when lost 2 places near finish
slowly into stride, behind, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
took keen hold, raced on outer, ridden halfway, soon lost place, behind
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
behind, moderate headway final furlong, no danger
chased leaders for 4f
This could fall to Aggravation, with Takes Tutu and Miss Inch also expected to go well. The selection is certainly on the upgrade judging on his recent second behind the in form Hollow Jo, and with the Elsworth team getting plenty of winners he looks the best option in this finale. Takes Tutu was just short-headed by Milk And Sultana over the 10-furlong trip here last time. He may find this mile a little bit on the short side but should still be involved in the finish. Miss Inch is very lightly raced and put in her best performance to date when a close up third behind Ransom Strip at Wolverhampton last month. With more progression likely she should make a bold bid. Ardea Brave also showed plenty of promise and could be best of the others, however Aggravation appears to have the strongest form on show and this one gets our vote.
Meelup (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 14l behind Out For A Stroll (8-1) at Nottingham 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Aggravation 11-2 (9-1) Took keen hold, prominent, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, caught last strides, 2nd of 11, hd behind Hollow Jo (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Takes Tutu (USA) 2-1jt-fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 11, shd behind Milk And Sultana (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol in Feb.
Storm Centre 8-1 (9-4) Soon prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 13l behind Samuel Charles (8-13) at W'hampton 7f app hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Burton Ash 14-1 (8-11) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Robinzal (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Miss Madame (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Chased leaders to 2f out, weakened quickly, 10th of 12, 13l behind Luna Tacumana (8-12) at Lingfield 1m fll hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Blue Empire (IRE) 13-2 (8-6) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened, 7th of 12, 7l behind Arnie de Burgh (9-1) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Height of Spirits 20-1 (8-9) Held up in mid-division, no impression on leaders when hung left over 1f out, 7th of 11, 6l behind Star Magnitude (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Graft 16-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, in touch, not much room inside final 2f, kept on when clear, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Lowestoft Playboy (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Miss Inch 12-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Ransom Strip (8-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb.
Ardea Brave (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Prominent, outpaced 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Tacid (8-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb.
Danzare 11-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out and weakened quickly over 2f out, 13th of 14, 18l behind Red Birr (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
