tracked winner, challenged 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and every chance, held towards finish
chased leaders, outpaced halfway, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, behind until kept on final 2f, never near leaders
chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
made all, ridden over 1f out, edged left under pressure inside final furlong, held on towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furlong
chased leaders, lost place 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furlong
in touch, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
behind, outpaced halfway, weakened over 1f out
The most competitive contest on the card opens up affairs and while Restless Genius has been running well this winter the ground looks a little quick for him here so instead the verdict goes to NOMOREBLONDES with Sandwith considered the danger. The pick made a pleasing enough return from over 200 days off, a run that came on the polytrack at Wolverhampton at the start of the week. That surface was a little on the slow side for this one whose best form is on fast ground including over course and distance off this mark in July when a close second and he should be sharper from his run. Sandwith likes it here having scored three times from eight starts over course and distance. He too made a solid return after a long absence on the polytrack last time but it could be that these days he needs a little more cut in the ground. The ground also looks on the quick side for Restless Genius who has been running well on the artificial stuff this winter. However he looks well treated and is unexposed enough to show us more. Mr Rooney beat the selection over course and distance on his last visit here and despite some sketchy form since could go well enough for some prize money at a bigger price but to win it we side with Nomoreblondes.
Sandwith 8-1 (8-9) Always behind, kept on inside final furlong, never near to challenge, 8th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Perlachy (8-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Circuit Dancer (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, pushed along to chase leaders, weakened final furlong, 11th of 12, 7l behind Methaaly (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcap (4) gd in Jul.
Restless Genius (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind River Kirov (8-6) at Kempton 6f hcap (4) pol in Jan.
The Bear 9-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened halfway, 7th of 8, 7l behind Colorus (8-3) at Southwell 5f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Mar.
Nomoreblondes 4-1 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Welsh Opera (8-9) at Wolverhampton 5f fll hcp (0-75) (3yo+) (5) pol in Mar.
Brut 12-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Baybshambles (8-7) at Thirsk 5f hcap (4) gf in Jul.
Thunder Bay 11-2 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway on inside well over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind Gainshare (8-1) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcap (5) pol in Nov.
Until When (USA) 4-1fav (9-5) Mid-division, soon chased along, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 14, 1l behind Nabeeda (9-0) at Ripon 5f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
Darcy's Pride (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Led for 1f, remained in touch until weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 7l behind Woodsley House (8-13) at Redcar 6f hcap (5) gs in Sep.
Twosheetstothewind 9-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, weakened, 8th of 11, 10l behind Musical Script (8-13) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Ridley Didley (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Close up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 12l behind Mr Rooney (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcap (6) fbs in Feb.
Howards Prince 50-1 (8-6) Always behind, 10th of 13, 10l behind Spirit of Coniston (8-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (6) gd in Sep.
Blazing Heights 7-1 (8-4) Held up, ridden 2f out, never on terms, last of 13, 12l behind Roker Park (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcap (4) sft in Nov.
Mr Rooney (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 4l behind Fizzlephut (9-0) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
