prominent, ridden to chase leader 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
keen and prominent, chased leader 8f out until 2f out, weakened 1f out
held up, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
held up in rear and keen, headway on outer over 2f out, wide into straight over 1f out, ridden and one pace
soon led, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
keen, tracked leader 2f, remained close up, led over 1f out, edged right and ridden out final furlong
keen mid-division, effort on inside over 1f out, soon went 3rd, stayed on
Srikuantan is in cracking form at present and can get back to winning ways here at the main expense of Blu Manruna and Alfie Tupper. The selection was just held over 11f at Kempton last time, but the drop back to this trip and the return to this track should suit. Paul Cole's runner has probably not stopped improving and can confirm that with another success. Blu Manruna has not won here in 13 polytrack starts, which is clearly of concern for those thinking of a punt. Both his wins have come on right handed tracks and perhaps he is one of those types more effective going clockwise. Both Alfie Tupper's wins on the artificial have come at Wolverhampton but he does act here, though he has never won beyond nine furlongs which is a concern. Emperor Court may emerge as a much bigger danger with a 12lb pull at the expense of Srikuantan from their running last time, but while that may seem attractive the selection has improved by more than that since, so Peter Makin's runner is no 'good thing' and we will take Srikuantan to win that argument, and this race.
Sri Kuantan (IRE) 7-4fav (9-9) Took keen hold, led, quickened over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Rising Force (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Esteem 16-1 (9-8) Took keen hold in 3rd went 2nd over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, weakened, 7th of 13, 5l behind Samarinda (10-2) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jul.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Prominent, went second well over 3f out until 2f out, soon beaten, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Given A Choice (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Rock Anthem (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Raced keenly, tracked leader 7f out, every chance 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind Scamperdale (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Blu Manruna 11-2 (9-6) Led, pressed 4f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, always just held towards finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Watchmaker (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Alfie Tupper (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Soon in touch, headway over 2f out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Glenridding (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Emperor Court (IRE) 7-4 (9-3) Held up in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, hard ridden to challenge approaching final furlong, soon every chance, no extra close up, 2nd of 6, hd behind Sri Kuantan (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Stark Contrast (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, one pace, 4th of 8, 4l behind Sri Kuantan (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
