with leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, driven and headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden 2f out, never on terms
behind, outpaced over 4f out, stayed on final 2f, never nearer
tracked winner, led halfway, ridden and headed well over 1f out, kept on until weakened final furlong
led, headed halfway, chased leader, stayed on to lead again well over 1f out, ridden out
slowly into stride, always towards rear
chased leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace
behind until kept on final 2f, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong
A nightmare for punters as there is little to go on and those that have already to have faced the starter look exposed. In the absence of market opinion, King of The Moors is offered ahead of Sunrise Safari and Hams. King Of The Moors ran two solid races in maiden company last year and while he did disappoint slightly at Catterick; a winter on his back could well have strengthened him up. Sunrise Safari is a long-standing maiden who could be flattered by his official BHB mark. He's made losing an unfortunate habit in the past. Hams is sure to be popular in the market. A big money purchase for the Hamdan Al Maktoum operation - Richard Hills is here to ride. Johnston is also represented by For No One. Tamatave is back after a sizeable absence from the track. Grey Outlook has shown an aptitude for soft going and might not be as favoured by today's conditions. Malakiya was given a relatively low-key introduction at Wolverhampton. It is a long way to come for so little money so the market is watched. A difficult race and a speculative selection is made about King Of The Moors.
Tamatave (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Tracked leader, led after 1f, headed 5f out, led again 2f out, ridden and soon headed, under pressure, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Rain Stops Play (9-0) at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (D3) sft in Oct '04.
For No One (IRE) Mozart gelding, half-brother to 7f & 1m winner Sennen Cove.
Glasshoughton 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders to halfway far side, 11th of 15, 9l behind Guto (9-3) at Ripon 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
King of The Moors (USA) 7-2 (9-0) In touch, driven over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Kings Heir (9-0) at Catterick 7f 2yo mdn aut (6) gd in Oct.
Malakiya (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Started slowly, held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 12, 5l behind Bentong (9-0) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Sunrise Safari (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, drifted left and kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 4l behind River Bravo (9-0) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Hams (USA) Dixie Union filly, half-sister to a couple of winning sprinters.
Counterfactual (IRE) Key Of Luck gelding, half-brother to numerous winners between 5f & 7f.
