keen, tracked winner until over 1f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
keen, tracked leaders, ridden to press winner entering final furlong, not quicken towards finish
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
led to post, set steady pace, quickened 2f out, soon came to centre, challenged on both sides, edged right and found extra well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, wide and headway 2f out, pressed winner entering final furlong, driven and not quicken towards finish
keen, held up in last place, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not pace to challenge
slowly away, in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression final 2f
This is a very competitive handicap for this standard in which MURRIN has the vote over Kipchak and Nikki Bea. The selection as a distance winner at Great Leighs last time out and despite that success is only up 3lbs to a rating which he has one off in the last six months. The formline from that success has been franked with the fourth placed horse going on to score and three others placing so with that supporting his chances it looks good for two on the bounce. Kipchak has a similar profile after scoring after landing a seller over course and distance last time. Clive Brittain's gelding is well enough treated on his handicap debut but the selection's experience in this company may be more telling. Nikki Bea is an experienced campaigner who has been running into some form. A couple of silver medal performances off similar marks over course and distance have been promising and she off these terms could produce her best. Marmooq has been more than competitive in similar events recently over seven furlongs with the line from his latest effort looking good. He won't be far away again here but Murrin looks the strongest.
Saviour Sand (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened and edged left well over 1f out, 7th of 12, 18l behind Blacktoft (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol in Oct.
Murrin (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, won at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating Wavertree Warrior (9-2) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Young Bertie 8-1 (8-9) Led 1f, chased leaders after, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 4l behind Tous Les Deux (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Kipchak (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Made all, ridden 2f out, all out and hung right towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol in Jan beating Northern Desert (9-5) by a shd, 11 ran.
Marmooq 7-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway under pressure on outside from over 2f out, kept on to take third inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Tuxedo (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Shake On It 66-1 (9-0) Always in rear, well behind final 2f, last of 8, 16l behind Premio Loco (9-0) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol.
Mountain Pass (USA) 14-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway from well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4l behind General Feeling (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Nikki Bea (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, edged right close home, headed final strides, 2nd of 9, hd behind Herbert Crescent (9-5) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (6) pol in Jan.
