held up in rear, improved to go 4th 2f out, soon ridden, kept on, not pace to challenge
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd near finish
made all, shaken and clear 1f out, stayed on
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
chased winner until inside final furlong, ridden and weakened near finish
close up, ridden 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace
Despite this race being of a decent class plenty of the field have been inconsistent so this time the selection goes to BONUS, whose been more solid than most, while Internationaldebut and Whistledownwind rate as the main dangers. The pick was competitive enough in a listed race last time on his first attempt over a mile. His hold up tactics should really suit this track and that last run showed another attempt at the trip is well worth while. Internationaldebut found a similar race back in December but has since struggled to score under a high mark in handicaps. These conditions may suit better though and a big run is expected. Whistledownwind looks really well treated in the weights here but hasn't won since October 2007. This may proved to be a great bit of placing by connections and he should be involved. The unexposed Wasp was a winner last time out but has more to do this time while Kaleo has a long absence to overcome so Bonus should prove to have that little extra.
Bonus (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Held up in 7th, headway on inside 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, unable to quicken final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Premio Loco (9-0) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol.
Internationaldebut (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Dwelt, soon mid-division, came wide and slightly outpaced well over 1f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Titan Triumph (8-10) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Al Muheer (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Mid-division, effort 2f out, soon one pace, 6th of 9, 4l behind Formation (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Kaleo (8-13) Prominent, no extra, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Aintein Black (9-2) at Leipzig 1m sft in May '08.
Wasp (AUS) 11-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, kept on and hard ridden to lead close home, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan beating Red Somerset (9-0) by a nk, 7 ran.
Whistledownwind 3-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 4th of 5, 3l behind Premio Loco (9-0) at Lingfield 1m stk (3) pol in Jan.