led over 6f
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakening when edged left inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on
held up, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, hung left over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, always in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, not quicken inside final furlong
raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, unable to quicken near finish
keen, headway to chase leaders over 7f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, held up in rear, effort and switched inside over 1f out, not clear run and hampered and bumped rail inside final furlong, ran on close home
keen, held up, headway 2f out, ridden and not quicken inside final furlong
always prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, ran on close home
The day's feature event can go to Arturius ahead of Grand Passion, Nayyir, Cimyla and Red Spell. This could develop into a cracking finish given the quality of the field, and our narrow preference is for Arturius who beat Red Spell over the track and trip in February before coming out on top over 12 furlongs at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago. He displayed an ability to quicken off a slow pace that day, but this drop back in trip will suit him at present, and the Irish raider can complete a good week for trainer Philip Rothwell with Eddie Ahern once again in the plate. Grand Passion limbered up with a win the Winter Derby Trial last time, and it is hoped that he will fare better than he has in the last two runnings of this, having finished no nearer than ninth on each occasion. Nayyir is the highest rated on official figures and also lines up in form but the 10 furlong trip will surely stretch his stamina. Cimyla met with defeat in France but is a force to be reckoned with round here. However he will need things to pan out to secure a run given his style of racing, while Red Spell always seem to find one too good. Grantley has improved out of all recognition since moving to Germany where he won a Listed race last time, and can also make his presence felt, but Arturius has the scope to make it to the big time and is the percentage call.
Compton Bolter (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Grand Passion (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (2) pol in Feb.
African Dream 9-1 (8-13) Led 2f, remained prominent, ridden and unable to quicken final furlong, 4th of 8, 2l behind Grand Passion (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (2) pol in Feb.
Arturius (IRE) 11-4fav (9-4) Soon chasing leader, led just over 1f out, ridden clear, impressive, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol beating Dunaskin (9-5) by 4l, 7 ran.
Boo 14-1 (8-10) Behind, headway on outside 5f out, ridden from over 3f out, came wide entering straight, kept on, 6th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Bravo Maestro (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Bravo Maestro (USA) 12-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol beating Divine Gift (8-11) by 2l, 13 ran.
Cimyla (IRE) (8-9) Stayed on late, 4th of 13, 3l behind Howard Le Canard (8-9) at Cagnes-Sur-mer 1m 2f lst stk std in Feb.
Colisay 5-1 (9-6) Mid-division on rail, tracked leaders 3f out, led over 1f out, headed 1f out, not quicken, 4th of 12, 2l behind Royal Prince (9-3) at Nad Al Sheba 1m hcp gd in Feb.
Counsel's Opinion (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Grand Passion (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (2) pol in Feb.
Grand Passion (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (2) pol in Feb beating Red Spell (8-13) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Grantley (8-9) Well behind early, headway under pressure to lead close home, won at Neuss 1m 1f lst stk std beating Gandolfino (9-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Impeller (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Bravo Maestro (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Nayyir 4-9fav (8-13) Chased leader, led 1f out, pushed out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (2) pol in Feb beating Appalachian Trail (9-3) by 2l, 5 ran.
Red Spell (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) In rear, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Grand Passion (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (2) pol in Feb.
Sri Diamond 4-1 (9-4) Held up, headway and switched inside 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb beating Zonergem (8-10) by 3l, 9 ran.
