dwelt, held up towards rear, headway to go briefly 3rd inside final 2f, no extra and weakened over 1f out
started slowly, always in rear and struggling 3f out
tracked leader, led 7f out to over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, in touch, headway to lead over 3f out, ridden 4 lengths clear over 2f out, unchallenged afterwards, pushed out
mid-division, headway to chase winner over 2f out, no chance over 1f out, kept on
in rear, under pressure and plenty to do 2f out, kept on for 3f, never dangerous
tracked leaders, reminders 6f out, soon outpaced, never dangerous from over 2f out
pulled hard, led until headed 7f out, weakened over 4f out
Distant Cousin is given the confident vote here with Ezz Elkheil and Gramada rated as the main dangers. The selection is a course and distance winner who put up a cracking effort last time when a good second behind Maniatis. That was his best run for some time and this looks an ideal opportunity for him to get his head in front. Ezz Elkheil was a fair fifth behind El Chaparral last time at Wolverhampton but he is fairly consistent and in this slightly easier race he has got an obvious chance. Gramada is lightly-raced and is eased in grade after being well beaten in a handicap last time. He tackles this trip for the first time and if he sees this out then he will not be far away at the finish. Beyond The Pole ran okay behind our selection last time so is another with place prospects. However, for the winner we will return to Distant Cousin.
Esperance (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 7th of 14, 9l behind Charlie Kennet (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol.
The Number 33-1 (9-9) Soon behind, tailed off 3f out, last of 12, 42l behind St Ivian (9-12) at W'hampton 7f sll hcp (6) pol.
Beyond The Pole (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, steady headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 10l behind Maniatis (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol.
Distant Cousin 7-1 (9-1) Held up, headway halfway to go prominent, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed line, 2nd of 9, hd behind Maniatis (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol.
Ezz Elkheil 12-1 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders, every chance over 1f out, soon one pace, 5th of 12, 7l behind El Chaparral (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol.
Shalati Princess 66-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, effort on inside over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 10l behind Annus Iucundus (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 5f stk (H5) pol in Feb.
Gramada (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Behind, some headway over 1f out, no danger, 10th of 20, 10l behind Oakley Absolute (8-8) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Tamora 50-1 (7-13) Soon led, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Hidden Chance (9-4) at Windsor 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gf.
