prominent, chased leader after 4f, ridden over 3f out, no progress and weakened from 2f out
close up, ridden along over 3f out, no impression and one pace final 2f
started slowly, always in rear, lost touch final 2f
pulled hard in mid-division, led after 4f, ridden and headed just over 2f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, ridden to lead just over 2f out, soon clear, eased towards finish
led 4f, stayed prominent, chased leader over 4f out, effort 2f out, no extra and one pace from over 1f out
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, kept on well to take 2nd inside final furlong, closing close home
started slowly, always behind, never near leaders
This is a trappy race to open the card but Doveden Hero gets the vote with Latif and Redi rated as the main dangers. The selection is a course and distance winner and he had no luck in running last time out when he finished fifth here behind Taxman. However, he was only beaten by a length that day and he could be worth another chance today. Latif rates the main danger as he ran a decent race at Wolverhampton last time behind Following Flow. He is better over this slightly longer trip and he is entitled to be thereabouts at the finish. Redi returns to the level after a spell over the bigger obstacles and he does have some decent course and distance form which would certainly entitle him to some consideration. Eijaaz is better over a shorter trip than this so looks worth taking on and for the winner we are happy to return to Doveden Hero.
Redi (ITY) 14-1 (11-5) Disputed lead to over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 19l behind Papeete (10-10) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Dovedon Hero 11-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 13, 1l behind Taxman (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Afadan (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Always behind, last of 13, 10l behind Taxman (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Latif (USA) 3-1fav (8-6) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Following Flow (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Shaunas Vision (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Settled 2nd, led after 4f, edged clear travelling well entering straight, ridden 1 1/2f out, headed under 1f out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Don't Be Bitin (9-9) at Roscommon 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 sft in Oct.
Swainson (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, led over 6f out, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 16, 8l behind Countrywide Luck (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Brockhole (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) Held up, stayed on from over 1f out, never reached leaders, 5th of 12, 7l behind Young Mick (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Eijaaz (IRE) 22-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, held up, headway final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 9, 3l behind Latif (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol in Feb.
