held up in touch, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon driven, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leader, led over 1f out, ran on
tracked leader, driven to lead 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, always behind
led, pushed along and headed 4f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, switched right and effort over 2f out, kept on, never on terms
Nonrunner
Inside Story and Sawwaah are the clear pick at the weights and the race should revolve around that pair with Inside Story preferred; Daring Affair and Barton Sands are best of the rest. Mick Easterby doesn't run many here but four of his eight winners in the past five seasons have been successful and Inside Story can make the most of the drop in grade to record his second course success. Strictly, he has something to find at the weights with Sawwaah and Tom Dascombe's gelding has got an excellent strike rate over the years for one of his ability. He's finished in the first two on both outings over course and distance and looks sure to be in the firing line again. It's hard to see anything else get involved and Inside Story is marginally preferred to Sawwaah.
Inside Story (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 6l behind Lobengula (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Sawwaah (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Started very slowly, behind, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on well towards finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind King's Majesty (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Shaheer (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) In touch, effort over 1f out, not quicken, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Earl Kraul (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Persian Khanoom (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) last of 7, 18l behind dhtrs Top Pursuit (9-9) & Cronkyvoddy (10-6) at Jersey 1m 1f hcp gd in Aug '06.
My Mirasol 16-1 (8-3) Took keen hold, always behind, 11th of 12, 8l behind Just Intersky (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Barton Sands (IRE) 15-2 (8-7) Held up, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Greek Easter (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Daring Affair 9-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Friends Hope (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol in Dec.