led at steady pace, quickened over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened and eased final furlong
held up in close 5th, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, but never able to challenge
held up last, steady pace, headway on outside over 1f out, driven and ran on under pressure final furlong to lead on line
tracked leaders on inner, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, pressed leaders final furlong, not quicken towards finish
tracked leaders to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on well near finish to take 2nd last stride
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed last strides and lost 2nd post
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Mad Carew is preferred to Champagne Shadow and Dower House. The selection ran a solid second over a trip that was on the sharp side for him but he should have gleaned some confidence from that effort and we are prepared to chance him at the likely odds. Champagne Shadow has shown plenty of temperament in the past. He consented to behave like a racehorse on his most recent start and belied his 50/1 odds on the day. Predicting winners is difficult enough without having to second guess the mood of the horse in question. Dower House is dropped in grade after two unsuccessful attempts in better company. The Violin Player ran much better than his recent finishing position suggests and he will be staying on at the finish. Wellington Hall has shown glimpses of ability on turf but has not cut the mustard on the artifical surfaces as yet. Eastborough has a good record on today's surface and is watched in the market. Habanero returns after an absence. A fascinating race in which many hold chances and it is to Mad Carew that we award our selection.
Habanero 12-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 18, 25l behind Focus Group (8-4) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept.
Dower House 16-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, brief effort over 3f out, soon held, 7th of 9, 6l behind Bravo Maestro (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
The Violin Player (USA) 4-1fav (9-2) In touch, ridden and no impression final 2f, 8th of 10, 10l behind El Tiger (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Champagne Shadow (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, switched right 1f out, stayed on well, 3rd of 15, nk behind Willhego (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Wellington Hall (GER) 14-1 (8-5) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind Cold Turkey (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Eastborough (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Reggae Rhythm (8-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Mad Carew (USA) 5-2jt-fav (9-9) Prominent, tracked leader halfway, led inside final 2f, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Bishops Finger (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Jan.
Garibaldi (GER) 15-2 (8-12) Held up and keen, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 8l behind Bethanys Boy (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
