steadied start, held up in last trio, headway on outside over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd post, not pace to threaten leading duo
led until 6f out, chased leader until over 3f out, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear on inside, pushed along and outpaced in last pair 3f out, never dangerous after
took keen hold, tracked leader 2f, remained handy on inside, pushed along over 2f out, switched right 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, not pace of leading duo, lost 3rd post
tracked leading pair, 2nd over 3f out, led 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, ran on and always just doing enough
steadied start, held up in rear, pushed along and struggling 4f out, never a factor
mid-division, quick move on outside tracking leader 8f out, led 6f out until 2f out, chased leaders, weakened quickly over 1f out, eased
slowly into stride, held up in last pair, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten
soon held up in mid-division, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, brief rally on inside over 1f out, no impression final furlong
A winner at Kempton in December, ZABEEL STAR has gone close again since and drops back down a grade for this. The latter comment also applies to Cadeau Magnifique, who notched up a string of placed efforts at the end of last year, while Black Dave has a shout on his recent third here when ahead of Zephyros. The unpredictable Siouxperhero posted one of his better efforts when second at Wolverhampton and Exceeding Power finished a close-up third over track and trip on his penultimate start.
Zabeel Star (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear of mid-division, headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed final 100 yards, no extra and lost two places towards finish, 4th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Persun (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Russian Reward (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, driven and lost place over 2f out, 9th of 13, 8 3/4l behind Starboard (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Al Khafji 20-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway 1f out, stayed on, never troubled leaders, 5th of 13, 6l behind Master Gunner (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Black Dave (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Soon led, headed over 1f out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Ansaab (10-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Exceeding Power 10-1 (8-9) Raced wide in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Monsieur Rieussec (8-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Mercy Me 16-1 (8-7) In touch, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Monsieur Rieussec (8-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Torch 33-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, last of 13, 35 3/4l behind Starboard (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Gold Merlion (IRE) 5-2 (8-5) Tracked winner until weakened over 1f out, last of 4, 6 1/2l behind Brigadoon (9-4) at Catterick 1m 4f stks (5) gf in Aug.
Zephyros (GER) 14-1 (9-10) Held up, ran on inside final furlong, went towards finish, not trouble leaders, 4th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Ansaab (10-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Siouxperhero (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner final 50 yards, no impresion, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Black Hole Sun (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Cadeau Magnifique 5-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Eastern Dragon (9-3) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
