in touch, ridden halfway, driven over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
raced mid-division, ridden halfway, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on, not pace to challenge
raced wide, in touch, ridden halfway, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, unable to quicken
raced mid-divisoion, pushed along haldway, no impression
tracked leader, led 1f out, ridden out
soon pushed along in rear
held up in rear, never placed to challenge
led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
If any horse deserves to win a race it is Safranine, but the eight-year-old may again find one or two too good and we will take a chance on Velvet Touch, with He's A Rocket an obvious danger. The selection finished just behind He's A Rocket at Southwell last week in the race one by Beamsley Beacon. There was just half a length between them, but Velvet Touch jinked left in the closing stages in that contest and if she keeps a straight course today should reverse the form with that rival. Safranine has been very frustrating to follow. She should have beaten Radlett Lady back in January but Ann Stokell's charge was slightly hampered in the closing stages by a loose horse. Back over her favourite distance today she should be in the firing line again. Of the others Bold Maggie could go well at decent odds, but this is a good opening for Velvet Touch who is our idea of the winner.
Kiss The Rain 7-1 In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, kept on inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 5l behind Fraternity at W'hampton 6f stk (H5) pol in Feb.
Hellbent 8-1 Held up and keen, headway over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Flying Edge at W'hampton 6f stk (H5) pol.
Safranine (IRE) 9-1 Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 7l behind Radlett Lady at Southwell 6f stk (H5) fbs.
The Baroness (IRE) 33-1 Soon led, headed after 1f, stayed prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 7l behind Fraternity at W'hampton 6f stk (H5) pol in Feb.
He's A Rocket (IRE) 11-4 Chased winner, ridden halfway, effort approaching final furlong, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Beamsley Beacon at Southwell 5f stk (H5) fbs.
Velvet Touch 14-1 Chased winner, effort and every chance approaching final furlong, unable to quicken well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Beamsley Beacon at Southwell 5f stk (H5) fbs.
Bold Maggie 16-1 Chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 10, 4l behind Conjecture at Lingfield 5f 3yo mdn (D3) pol in Feb.
Next Time (IRE) 50-1 Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Stephanie's Mind at Lingfield 5f 3yo mdn (D3) pol.