tracked leaders on outer, effort going well 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ridden out
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, stayed on same pace over 1f out
led for 2f, stayed prominent, hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened, eased when no chance final furlong
towards rear on inside, hard ridden and not quicken 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
in touch, driven over 2f out, no chance when not much room on rail and eased over 1f out
dwelt and always behind
raced in mid-division, hard ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
led after 2f, kicked on 2f out, ridden and edged right approaching final furlong, headed entering final furlong, soon one pace
with leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out
always behind
behind, late headway on outside final furlong, never able to challenge
Fajr hit winning form last time and can follow up today at the expense of Taminoula and California Laws. The selection won over the mile trip here on the first of February coming clear in great style in the straight and looked one to follow, especially if turned out quickly before he is reassessed. The drop in trip today will not be a problem and he looks a good thing to get punters off to a winning start. Taminoula put in another solid effort last time when a close up fourth in a six furlong claimer here. She was doing her best work at the end and should be involved in the finish today. California Laws hasn't raced since November when an excellent third in a competitive handicap, if fit he should make his presence felt. The pick of the others could be Triple Zero, but Fajr is at the top of his game and gets our confident vote.
Fajr (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Held up, good headway 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, easily, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Lowestoft Playboy (8-12) by 3l, 12 ran.
Taminoula (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Outpaced, headway and switched right 1f out, ran on final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Mulberry Lad (8-1) at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol.
Triple Zero (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Segoria (8-13) at W'hampton 6f fll hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Secam (POL) 25-1 (8-2) Towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 14, 12l behind Byron Bay (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Sunny Afternoon 14-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner inside final furlong, but no chance, lost 2 places close home, 4th of 10, 3l behind Shade Cozy (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Marsad (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, not clear run from over 1f out, never able to challenge, 9th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Tuscarora (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Cayman Breeze 2-1fav (8-11) Prominent early, mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, one pace, 5th of 11, 6l behind Canadian Danehill (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
California Laws 6-1 (9-2) Towards rear, plenty to do, not clear run well over 1f out, ran on when clear inside final furlong to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Shade Cozy (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.