chased leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened
held up behind, headway over 4f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, no chance with winner from over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off final 2f
made all, 5 lengths clear 2f out, stayed on strongly unchallenged
towards rear, stayed on final 2f, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, nearest finish
steadied start, held up in rear, plenty to do over 2f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, nearest finish
mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd final furlong, no chance with winner
always in rear, never a factor
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked winner, ridden and lost 2nd well over 1f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Formidable Guest and Royal Choir both come here on the back of course and distance wins however a penalty apiece makes life tougher and we will take a chance on COLONEL SHERMAN. Luke Dace may not have many flat horses in training (three to be exact), however his one of his other inmates won supremely easily on Tuesday and hopes are high for this Mr Greeley colt. He was a good second at the track over the Christmas period and the form of his recent runs has been franked, especially by Blockley who beat him on the tenth of December. Top-weight Formidable Guest was a surprise winner last time but it would be unwise to underestimate her, especially as her trainer Jeff Pearce should know where he stands with the selection as he saddled Zalkani who beat her last time. Fellow recent winner Royal Choir could be of interest, however that was his first win in 13 starts and he probably needs to improve again with an inexperienced jockey up for the first time. Tabulate is a course and distance winner but he doesn't look fantastically handicapped despite recent below-par efforts. Blinkers may bring about more improvement in Ready To Crown, Turkish Sultan is consistent if somewhat frustrating to follow with real money, whilst Apache Dawn continues to let down backers and it is hard to keep the faith. Not much to get excited about, but the feeling is that Colonel Sherman could blow them away.
Royal Choir 16-1 (8-5) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec beating Majehar (9-3) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Ready To Crown (USA) 9-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, beaten over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 8l behind Blockley (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol.
Tabulate 8-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, no impression on leaders final furlong, 6th of 12, 9l behind Blockley (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Indiana Fox 100-1 (9-3) Progress from rear over 2f out, never in contention, 8th of 12, 40l behind Surrealism (8-12) at Bath 1m 2f mdn fll (5) gs in Oct.
Colonel Sherman (USA) 17-2 (8-10) Led, soon clear, ridden until 8 lengths clear 2f out, caught towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Zalkani (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Turkish Sultan (IRE) 15-2 (8-7) Went left start, held up, headway well over 1f out, one pace, 7th of 13, 8l behind Giddywell (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) std.
Inquisitress 11-2 (8-5) Tracked leaders, lost place 2f out, 9th of 10, 14l behind Lopinot (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Apache Dawn 7-2fav (9-0) Held up in rear, headway on inside 2f out, stayed on steadily final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Tuxedo (9-0) at Kempton 7f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Dec.
Mix N Match 50-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway over 4f out, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Sagunt (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Silver Spruce 50-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, towards rear, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Cavalry Guard (8-5) at Lingfield 7f app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
King's Alchemist 12-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway 2f out weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 9l behind Gallego (10-3) at Salisbury 1m amt hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Space Pirate 18-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling, last of 12, 19l behind Prairie Hawk (8-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Formidable Guest 8-1 (8-10) Dwelt, held up in rear, pushed along 4f out, switched wide, headway to lead entering final furlong, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec beating Bavarica (8-8) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Whodunit (UAE) 10-1 (8-13) Led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 16l behind Giddywell (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) std.
