started very slowly, lost several lengths at start, in rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up in touch, going well, shaken up over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, driven out
tracked leader to halfway, ridden over 3f, weakened rapidly
led, pressed over 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
took keen hold towards rear, headway from 2f out, kept on, not reach leaders
pulled hard in touch, ridden over 2f out, not pace to challenge over 1f out, one pace
behind, ridden along over 3f out, never dangerous
took keen hold, pressed leader over 3f out, every chance 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up behind, headway to chase leaders 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong
towards rear, kept on from over 1f out but no impression
Nonrunner
Nuit Sombre (IRE), Fulvio and Midnight Lace are three against the field in this competitive claimer and the vote is given to Nuit Sombre. The selection was a good third behind Linning Wine last time out and with the fitting of first time cheek pieces likely to bring about more improvement he will be hard to beat.Fulvio rates the main danger rates the main danger behind Golden Spectrum but he is a hold up performer who will need look in running and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Midnight Lace is another that could go well on his best form but he has yet to prove he is effective over this trip and is opposable on that basis. Of the remainder Desert Lightning is another that could improve for the fitting of first time cheek pieces and should be monitored in the market while Louisiade is dropping in class but in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to Nuit Sombre.
Ali Bruce 10-1 (9-0) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 42l behind Waterside (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Raza Cab (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, edged left over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 6l behind Nice Tune (9-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, led after 1f, hard pressed and headed 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Linning Wine (9-3) at Lingfield 1m clm (6) pol in Feb.
Amazin 13-2 (8-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, slightly hampered over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 6l behind Jakarmi (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Fulvio (USA) 7-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Golden Spectrum (9-2) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.
Midnight Lace 33-1 (9-2) Mid-division to halfway, soon behind, last of 13, 33l behind Kindlelight Debut (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Tapa 8-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always behind, 8th of 11, 14l behind Distant Country (9-7) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol.
Louisiade (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 10, 6l behind Meditation (8-13) at Lingfield 7f handicap (5) pol.
