chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
soon led, ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra
with leaders, ridden, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up, ridden halfway, kept on, never dangerous
held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, staying on when not clear run inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on
chased leaders over 3f
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, kept on
patiently ridden in rear, headway on inside from over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, edged right near finish (hand-timed)
In the finale, Wicked Uncle gets the call, with Holbeck Ghyll and Poker Player suggested as his main dangers. Wicked Uncle caught the eye last time when staying on late over six furlongs. He had previously looked competitive from his current rating and can take advantage of his box seat to run well today, even though he closely weighted with Kempsey based on a recent meeting. That horse's record of no wins from 18 all-weather starts tempers enthusiasm for him, though, as does his draw, while Tartatartufata has shown no sparkle in two runs here. Holbeck Ghyll lacks a recent run and has run only once on the all-weather - without success - but he ended last season by winning his last three and could remain well-handicapped. Poker Player could be interesting because, much as he has not really built on last season's Windsor win, he ran pretty well at Wolverhampton last time and now tries five furlongs for the first time. Sweetest Revenge caught the eye over six furlongs last time and is another that is dropping in distance today and could go well, while Little Ridge holds claims on form of 15 to 18 months ago, but Canadian Danehill was beaten off his revised mark last time, on which form he is held by Mambazo. Finally, Wise Wager lacks a recent run which, in turn, returns us to the selection, which is Wicked Uncle.
Kempsey 100-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, 9th of 10, 7l behind Les Arcs (8-12) at Lingfield 5f stk (2) pol.
Holbeck Ghyll (IRE) 5-2fav (8-0) Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden to challenge from 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on to lead close home, won at Sandown 5f hcp (4) gd in Sept beating Judd Street (9-4) by a hd, 13 ran.
Sweetest Revenge (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, kept on again final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Saviours Spirit (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Wicked Uncle 8-1 (8-4) Held up, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 1l behind Qadar (9-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Wise Wager (IRE) 11-2 (8-3) Very slowly into stride, never on terms, 9th of 10, 17l behind Further Outlook (8-12) at Sandown 5f clm (5) gs in Sept.
Little Ridge (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Prominent, driven along halfway, ridden and one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 8l behind Efistorm (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Canadian Danehill (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Almaty Express (8-8) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Mambazo 8-1 (8-6) Held up, wide entering straight, headway final furlong, finished strongly, 3rd of 12, nk behind Almaty Express (8-8) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
