in rear, soon pushed along and outpaced, last 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead post
led, headed over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
slowly into stride, chased leaders after 1f, led on inner over 1f out, headed insided final furlong, weakened towards finish
chased leaders in 4th, ridden to lead inside final furlong, caught post
tracked leader, one pace when short of room inside final furlong, no impression
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
This seller should go to SIR EDWIN LANDSEER although he's not one to be lumping on; Gleaming Spirit and Sweet Applause may chase him home. Gary Moore's charge has upwards of 7lbs in hand of his rivals here and should win head-in-chest if at anything like his best. That said, he's a horse who has his quirks and whether he consents to give his all is open to some doubt. This is weaker than the races he's contested lately though and his come-from-behind style is suited to this track, so providing they don't crawl he may just be able to win without having to come off the bridle. Gleaming Spirit won a handicap last time and looks one of the few runners here set to run up to their marks. That confidence boosting success will have done both horse and trainer the world of good and he's the pace angle here; we're hoping he goes fast enough to tee up our pick. Sweet Applause tries cheek-pieces for the first time and on the figures rates the biggest threat to the likely favourite. The filly is winless from 22 starts which is of course a big concern, but this trip should be ideal and perhaps the headgear can help her improve further still. Elusive Ronnie surely needs six furlongs and an end-to-end gallop so looks opposable with Nawaaff who is very modest and has plenty to find at the weights. Similar comments apply to Magic Glade who looks the stable second string anyway, so with Tan Bonita having almost two stone to find we'll take a deep breath and side with Sir Edwin Landseer.
Elusive Ronnie (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, pushed along before halfway, some headway on inner over 1f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 7l behind Bollywood Style (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Gleaming Spirit (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Broke smartly, ridden over 1f out, edged left and ran on final furlong, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol beating Taboor (8-12) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Magic Glade 22-1 (8-4) Always in rear, 10th of 12, 10l behind Meikle Barfil (8-9) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.
Nawaaff 12-1 (8-8) Ran wide, close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 7l behind Cwmni (8-11) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Sir Edwin Landseer (USA) 6-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders and keen, switched left over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Espy (9-8) at Wolverhampton 6f sell stks (6) pol.
Sweet Applause (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 6th of 9, 4l behind After The Show (8-11) at Lingfield 5f Handicap (0-62) (4yo+) (6) pol in Jan.
Tan Bonita (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 10l behind Gleaming Spirit (8-12) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
