in touch, effort and ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
raced on outer in mid-division, ridden to challenge over 2f out, one pace and no impression when edged left inside final furlong
chased leader to 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, headway on outer over 2f out, stayed on same pace
held up in mid-division, smooth headway to lead inside final 2f, clear approaching final furlong, ridden out comfortably
held up in mid-division, headway under pressure over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
keen hold, steadied rear, kept on under pressure final furlong, never able to challenge
slowly into stride, held up well in rear, good headway when not clear run briefly inside final 2f, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, nearest finish
took keen hold, never better than mid-division
ridden in rear 3f out, always behind
chased leaders over 3f
dwelt, soon in touch, driven along 2f out, stayed on same pace
led until headed just inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out`
chased leaders 6f
Desert Imp, Belly Dancer, Triple Two and Almansoora are the four that form our shortlist for this contest, with vote going to Belly Dancer. The selection comes here without any doubts about her fitness and she gained her first success when routing the opposition in a Chester maiden last week. Clearly in good heart, this likeable filly should give you a run for your money today. Desert Imp looked promising last season and ended the campaign with a win. Being the type that her trainer does well with, she is granted all due respect. Much as Triple Two is a little difficult to assess based on two all-weather wins, she has looked highly promising so far and, again, is afforded plenty of respect. And the beautifully-bred Almansoora looked promising when scoring at Salisbury in September, and she has to be on your shortlist too. Turning to the others and Sure Lift looked promising when scoring on her debut at this track, and may have gone off the boil when beaten at Salisbury in a Listed race last time. Annals and Royal Jelly are others to have shown promise and who look capable of further improvement, while Toffee Vodka is probably better than she has so far shown. Love Affair's second to Wedding Party on her final start last year reads as pretty solid form, while Gennie Bond might appreciate the drop to seven furlongs following a reasonable effort at Leicester last time. However, for the winner, we will side with Belly Dancer.
Nice Tune 10-1 (8-8) Chased leader, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 12l behind Vista Bella (8-8) at Kempton 1m 3yo lst fll (1) gs in Mar.
Almansoora (USA) 4-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, headway going well 2f out to chase leaders, ran on well inside final furlong to lead post, won at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn fll (D2) gd in Sept beating Elizabethan Age (8-11) by a shd, 16 ran.
Free Lift 10-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, ridden and hung left over 2f out, soon behind, eased final furlong, 10th of 11, 13l behind Suez (8-9) at Salisbury 6f 2yo lst fll (A1) gd in Sept.
Annals 15-2 (8-13) Chased leaders over 4f, last of 4, 9l behind Shanghai Lily (8-13) at Newbury 7f 2yo fll (B1) gf in Sept.
Royal Jelly 12-1 (9-2) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Kandidate (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (D2) pol in Nov.
Desert Imp 9-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on, won at Redcar 6f 2yo mdn fll (D3) gd in Oct beating Fashion House (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Miss Patricia 25-1 (9-3) Not much room and hampered start, headway over 5f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 17, hd behind Banknote (9-4) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Ahdaaf (USA) 14-1 (8-11) Raced stands' side, chased leaders, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 5l behind Loyal Love (8-11) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn fll (D2) gd in Oct.
Toffee Vodka (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, 2nd of 11, hd behind Rashida (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo fll hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Beautiful Mover (USA) 4-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden and lost place over 3f out, not much room halfway, eased when no chance final furlong, last of 18, 15l behind Forzeen (9-3) at Windsor 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (D2) gf in Sept.
Love Affair (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Raced far side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Wedding Party (9-5) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll hcp (B1) gd in Oct.
Authenticate 100-1 (8-6) In touch to over 2f out, soon weakened, 18th of 26, 7l behind Salamanca (8-9) at Newbury 6f (B1) gd in Sept.
Celtic Spa (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Chased leaders until weakened over 2f out, 16th of 17, 28l behind Banknote (9-4) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Seasons Estates 8-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, hard pressed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Sabbiosa (8-8) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Della Salute 20-1 (8-2) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 15l behind Mostashaar (8-10) at Folkestone 7f mdn stk (5) sft in Apr.
Belly Dancer (IRE) 6-5fav (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Chester 7f 3yo mdn fll (4) gs beating Alexander Capetown (8-11) by 7l, 10 ran.
Triple Two 2-1fav (9-7) In touch, headway over 1f out, led soon after, held on, won at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (E3) pol in Dec beating Rancho Cucamonga (9-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Gennie Bond 11-1 (8-13) Led, headed over 6f out, remained close up, ridden 3f out, not clear run inside final furlong, stayed on, 5th of 9, 3l behind Eloquent Knight (8-2) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in Apr.