steadied start, held up rear, chasing leaders when slightly checked 2f out, switched right, stayed on final furlong to take 3rd close home
made all, led, ridden inside final 2f, quickened well and asserted final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, effort over 1f out, no impression on winner final furlong
disputed 3rd, effort on inside over 1f out, not pace to challenge, kept on same pace and lost 3rd close home
tracked leader, raced keenly, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken and weakened over 1f out
steadied start, took keen hold, disputed 3rd to 3f out, lost touch over 2f out, weakened quickly, tailed off
Acropolis will not get a better opportunity to win his first race since 2004 than he did when runner-up here last time, and we will take him on in this claimer with ALRAFID. The Gary Moore-trained selection was a winner over hurdles when last seen out back in November and he has never won on the Polytrack. He was largely kept to trips around a mile when campaigned on the level in his younger days, but he clearly gets two miles and more over the sticks and given that this is not hot company, and that his yard does well at this track, we will take him to be up to the task of winning. Acropolis was previously smart, winning in Listed company in Ireland, and was beaten over a trip short of his optimum 1m 4f last time. This step up to two miles is not certain to suit either and he doesn't look one to be lumping on. Wind Flow has won two of his last three, both here over 12f, and he has won over 1m 6f on a couple of occasions, so there is hope that he will get this trip and if so he will be a threat. Zaffeu sees out the longer trips well and is not written off, though he does have a bit to find at the weights, while Mayadeen does not convince he will get this far. Alrafid is taken to score.
Acropolis (IRE) 5-6fav (9-0) Soon led, set strong pace, ridden inside final 2f, driven, found nil and headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Bridgewater Boys (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Wind Flow 2-1jt-fav (9-8) Made all, ridden over 1f out when challenged, kept on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Dec beating Poppy Red (8-1) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Alrafid (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Always behind, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 27l behind One To Win (9-1) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul '05.
Mayadeen (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 5f out, weakened 4f out, last of 8, well behind Victory Quest (9-11) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Always Certain (USA) 25-1 (9-3) Led until headed over 2f out, gradually weakened, 6th of 10, 12l behind Imperium (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Smetana 14-1 (8-10) Led after 1f, headed 9f out, remained with leader until over 4f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 40l behind Anfield Road (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 5f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Dec.
Zaffeu 9-1 (11-7) Held up, headway over 6f, ridden to lead over 4f, headed over 2f, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 14, 11l behind Hi Dancer (10-6) at Southwell 2m amt hcp (6) fbs.
Wildbach (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, raced wide in mid-division, ridden 6f out, weakened 4f out, 9th of 12, 29l behind La Estrella (9-7) at Southwell 1m 3f clm (6) fbs in Dec.
