started slowly, in rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
started very slowly, took keen hold towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong and gaining close home
took keen hold in touch, ridden to dispute lead 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken final 100 yards
took keen hold behind, never troubled leaders
took keen hold towards rear, headway 2f out, led narrowly 1f out, ran on, driven out
took keen hold, prominent, ridden over 2f out, short of room and checked on inner inside final 2f, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
took keen hold, tracked leader, effort 2f out, soon ridden, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led until headed narrowly 1f out, stayed on under pressure, held final 100 yards
took keen hold in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, no extra over 1f out and one pace final furlong
Northern Desert looks to have every chance of reversing placings with Glencalvie and Hits Only Heaven on their recent running and is taken to do so, while of the others Polonius looks interesting. The selection has been beaten by both Glencalvie and Hits Only Heaven over course and distance in the past month, but with weight pulls of 6lb and 4lb respectively, the seven-year-old now looks to have his chance to get home in front at a track he clearly acts well on. He has won off a 1lb lower mark in the past and can pull out the extra required today. Glencalvie may be the better of the other pair, while Polonius returns to the racecourse after lengthy absence and has Jamie Spencer in the plate to nurse him around. Any market interest could be significant, but without that knowledge we will take Northern Desert to score.
Polonius 13-2 (9-0) With leader, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 12l behind Delphie Queen (8-11) at Salisbury 7f stk (B) gs in Jul '04.
Hits Only Heaven (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, hard pressed over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Island Rapture (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Swift Oscar 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 5th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Dig Deep (8-8) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Zarabad (IRE) 5-2fav (8-11) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, soon behind, last of 13, 26l behind Hail The Chief (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Northern Desert (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Glencalvie (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Glencalvie (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Made all, ran on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec beating Northern Desert (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Tanforan 12-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 5l behind Shankly Bond (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Farewell Gift 40-1 (8-10) Raced stand's side, always behind, 16th of 19, 18l behind Game Lad (9-2) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Nautical 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Shankly Bond (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
