tracked winner until ridden 2f out soon weakened
made all, ridden 2f out, challenged inside final furlong, held on gamely
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, held up in rear, headway up on inside entering final furlong, not clear run, ridden and found little towards finish
held up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish
held up in rear, ridden and kept on never nearer
Just the eight runners for this opening claimer but it's competitive nonetheless and we'll give one last chance to ZUBOVA ahead of Ramamara and Anjomarba. Richard Hannon's youngster has been beaten a head on each of her last two outings and in doing so has showed signs of awkwardness but this looks the filly's easiest assignment to date so there can be no excuses. The daughter of Dubawi comes out joint best on adjusted figures but holds a slightly more compelling profile than Ramamara. David Evans' charge has some solid course form to her name and should run well but we give narrow preference to the less exposed Hannon juvenile this time. Anjomarba is another with solid prospects although she looks held by both of those mentioned on previous running. Nevertheless, William Carson's 3lb claim may help and this one could shake up the principles as could Clear Ice whose wins have come at Southwell but if translating that form to this very different surface the gelding could have a say in the finish. Yeadon looks up against it at the weights but is yet to finish worse than fourth so should run another solid race, as might Tamarind Hill who remains unexposed and has gotten the hang of things of late and could prove better than his official rating. Miss Lesley has each way claims on the pick of her form but will need to improve again to land this and we prefer the chances of Zubova.
Clear Ice (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Southwell 6f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) fbs beating Valmina (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Miss Lesley 11-2 (8-11) Keen, held up, switched right over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Vito Volterra (9-2) at Lingfield 6f 2yo sell stks (6) pol.
Yeadon 7-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Cape Kimberley (9-7) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Ramamara (IRE) 5-4fav (7-13) With leader, led after 2f, ridden 2f out, headed post, 2nd of 7, nk behind Bubbly Bellini (8-2) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo clm stks (6) pol.
Tamarind Hill (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) With leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Magenta Strait (8-7) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo sell stks (6) pol.
Anjomarba (IRE) 15-2 (7-13) Pushed along in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Bubbly Bellini (8-2) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo clm stks (6) pol.
Zubova 4-6fav (8-11) Held up, smooth headway to track leading pair 2f out, hung left and not look keen entering final furlong, ran on near finish, went 2nd on line, 2nd of 7, hd behind Kirsty's Boy (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo clm stks (6) pol.
Mind The Monarch 9-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to go 2nd well over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Wanchai Whisper (8-6) at Kempton 5f 2yo clm stks (6) pol.
