steadied start, held up toward rear, headway on inside from over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along 2f out, no impression
held up in mid-division on inside, not clear run from over 1f out, heavily eased inside final furlong
patiently ridden mid-division, smooth headway from over 1f out, switched right and quickened to lead well inside final furlong, readily
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
close up, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
keen, tracked leader, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
keen, steadied start, held up in last place, pushed along 4f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression
held up in rear, ridden 4f out, never dangerous
held up in rear, improved to mid-division over 4f out, ridden 2f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, took 2nd close home
The unexposed AMERICAN SPIN should have enough improvement to score off an increased rating while Scarab, who's seeking a two timer, is the main threat and Aypeeyes looks good for each-way backers. The selection has done little wrong in three starts so far and put in a really good effort after an absence to finish runner up in a eight runner race over distance on his handicap debut. He was a little green when asked for an effort so improvement is expected and with the form from his maiden win, two starts ago, working out well he looks good to get off the mark in handicaps. Scarab has been ultra consistent for the in form Mark Johnson and comes here after a comfortable enough victory over this trip at Kempton last time out. The rise of five pounds in his rating is not of much concern so another similar effort has him firmly in the picture. Apeeyes seems to always run well and is now back to a mark just two pounds higher than his last winning rating. The terms look ripe for the five-year-old to take advantage and get into the prize money again so at a likely double figure price he looks real each-way value. Horseshoe Reef has been frustrating and difficult to win with recently but shouldn't be crossed off completely but American Spin has the scope for improvement to win here.
Encircled 100-1 (9-1) Steadied start, settled in rear, headway on inner 2f out, stayed on, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 4l behind Dansant (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Cold Turkey 33-1 (8-13) Always rear group, ridden 3f out, soon struggling, 12th of 14, 17l behind Confidentiality (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Sam Lord 7-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden 4f out, kept on towards finish, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Aegean Prince (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
War of The Roses (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) In rear, wide, effort 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 9, 6l behind Robby Bobby (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Aypeeyes (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 7, 10l behind Cape Express (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Scarab (IRE) 7-4fav (8-11) Tracked leaders throughout, led approaching 1f out, ridden clear, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan beating Spirit of Adjisa (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Horseshoe Reef (AUS) 33-1 (8-11) Led after 2f, joined over 1f out, headed 1f out, kept on well for 2nd, not pace of winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Confidentiality (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
American Spin 2-1fav (9-8) In touch, hard ridden and chased winner final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 8, nk behind Sheer Fantastic (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Wild Desert (FR) 12-1 (8-13) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened, 5th of 9, 3l behind Transvestite (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Weststern (GER) (9-11) Tracked leaders in 3rd, disputing 4th straight, soon ridden and one pace, 8th of 15, 7l behind Champus (9-4) at Munich 1m stk gd in Oct '07.
Ameeq (USA) 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, 12th of 17, 18l behind Alsadaa (10-5) at Ascot 1m 4f amt hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sept.
Action Impact (ARG) 7-2co-fav (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakend final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Folio (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
