slowly away, led after 2f, headed 5f out, remained close up, ridden over 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, soon led, stayed on
taken to post early, slowly into stride, keen, always in rear
tracked leaders, reminders over 4f out, driven and no impression over 2f out until stayed on under pressure final furlong to take 2nd post
held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, hung left from over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
keen, held up in rear, improved to mid-division over 6f out, led 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra towards finish
slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
led 2f, tracked leader after, ridden over 3f out, lost 2nd post
held up, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous
Withdrawn
In an intriguing race that includes some useful types the vote is given to DREAM IN BLUE to get off the mark at the second time of asking while Enlightenment and Regal Angel are both in with more than decent chances. Costing 140,000 guineas the selection made a very pleasing debut when runner up in a nine runner race at Kempton. He raced in bursts that day, which resulted with him having plenty to do at the business end of proceedings but he finished well and should really come on from the experience. Regal Angel has won twice over this trip in bumpers and has since taken very well to the artificial surface. She was a little outpaced last time over course and distance but came on again at the end and we can expect another prominent display. Enlightenment takes to the polytrack for the first time and comes here after some decent efforts in good races over jumps. A winning chaser off a mark of 122 he should be a major player if taking to the surface. Scandal needs to be considered after winning a bumper over course and distance in November but his form has since dropped off so to win it we side with DREAM IN BLUE.
Enlightenment (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Led, mistake 3rd, headed 7th, weakened 4 out, stayed poor 3rd, 3rd of 8, 35l behind Jack The Giant (11-1) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov (N.Hunt).
Jay Ell The Trier (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Restrained well in rear, never a factor, 9th of 10, well behind Tullamore Dew (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) sft (N.Hunt).
Dream In Blue 5-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden along 5f out, no impression 2f out, ran green, good headway approaching final furlong, ran on well to take 2nd and gaining near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Sounds of Jupiter (8-4) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn.
Rettorical Lad 50-1 (8-11) Close up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 33l behind Antillia (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Scandal 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 4f, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 15, 24l behind Double Dash (11-5) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) sft in Jan (N.Hunt).
Popcorn Rosie 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, lost touch 4th, soon weakened, last of 6, well behind Private Be (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f Grad Ch (2) sft in Dec (N.Hunt).
Regal Angel 4-1fav (9-2) Tracked leader to 5f out, stayed prominent, ridden over 4f out, slightly outpaced 3f out, stayed on steadily final furlong, took 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Quite A Fella (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Romantic Retreat 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, in lead 5f out, pressed 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Celtic Gold (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Just Serenade 66-1 (8-8) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 11l behind Shenandoah Girl (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Wray Castle (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, chased leader over 6f out, ridden 2f out, led entering final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Eighteenfifty (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol.
