held up in touch, effort on inside to chase winner over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway and outside over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leader 8f
held up in touch, lost place over 4f out
held up in rear, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
steady to start, soon switched left, held up well in rear, headway on inside approaching 2f out, switched right and led over 1f out, edged right and ridden out final furlong
chased leader 7f
set moderate pace, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
The feature race on the card can go to El Tiger ahead of Red Spell, with Bravo Maestro, Gavroche and Arturius all worth a mention at least. Barney Curley worked the oracle with El Tiger just over three weeks ago as the five-year-old held on by a short-head to beat Consonant and gain his first British success. That was over 10 furlongs, but he was placed in Group company over a mile-and-a-half in Germany, so there is no problem with the trip, and he is open to plenty of improvement. Red Spell will command plenty of support as he was unlucky in running a fortnight ago, and if this turns into a sprint in the straight, he has a useful turn of foot. Bravo Maestro is unbeaten in both outings for Nick Littmoden and is another that deserves a crack at this prize, while Gavroche has fair form but is probably not as well treated as others, and was behind Boo when they met at Wolverhampton. Arturius has an absence to overcome, but connections have booked Eddie Ahern so he should not be dismissed out of hand either, but we are prepared to take a chance on El Tiger.
Red Spell (IRE) 11-4fav (9-4) Held up in mid-division, not clear run from over 1f out, ran on strongly towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind Bonus (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Boo 11-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders and keen, chased leaders 3f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Bravo Maestro (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Gavroche (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride and behind, headway on outside 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to be nearest at finish, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Boo (7-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Lygeton Lad 12-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, hard ridden and not quicken 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3/4l behind Bonus (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
El Tiger (GER) 14-1 (9-4) Held up, smooth headway 3f out, led well over 1f out, narrowly headed final furlong, rallied to regain lead near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan beating Consonant (8-10) by a shd, 10 ran.
Bravo Maestro (USA) 11-2 (8-8) Made all, steady pace, quickened over 2f out, kept on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan beating Willhego (8-1) by a nk, 9 ran.
Arturius (IRE) 10-11fav (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Carlisle 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Jun beating Toshi (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Willhego 7-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 9, 10l behind Sri Diamond (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Takes Tutu (USA) 9-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Risk Free (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol.
