chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led until over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, short lived effort over 2f out
always behind
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, brief effort over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer
in touch, ridden over 2f out, led just over 1f out, stayed on, driven out
held up towards rear, good headway 3f out to lead just over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, headway under pressure well over 1f out, stayed on
chased leaders until weakened over 2f out
chased leaders until weakened over 2f out
behind final 3f
chased leaders for over 4f
slowly into stride, always towards rear
mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, soon ridden and headway, stayed on well final furlong
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on, no extra inside final furlong
This looks ultra-competitive and from a shortlist of MANASSAS, Zaahid, Mawatheeq and Flipando we will side with Manassas. The selection won well last month when he beat Extraterrestrial at Doncaster. He has had his problems, but he looks over them now and with the promise of more to come and he can get his head in front again. Extraterrestrial has since been out and run another creditable race in defeat, but it is hard to see him turning the tables with our selection today. There are plenty of dangers in the field and Zaahid has to enter calculations. He finished third in this race last year and he confirmed his well-being when chasing home the unexposed Expresso Star at Doncaster last month. Flipando finished third in that race but he hasn't won on the turf since recording a success in the Zetland Cup at Redcar back in 2007. Mawatheeq remains unexposed but he looks to have plenty on his plate on these terms, and we will stick with Manassas who looks the one to beat.
Mawatheeq (USA) 4-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken final furlong, 6th of 14, 6l behind Charlie Farnsbarns (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Mia's Boy 16-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders stands side, driven and kept on over 1f out, 4th of 20, 4l behind Expresso Star (8-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
Alarazi (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden and outpaced final 2f, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 9l behind Dansant (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Mar.
Zaahid (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Chased leaders far side, driven and kept on final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 20, 2 1/2l behind Expresso Star (8-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
European Dream (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Raced stand side, held up, ridden and effort over 2f out, never on terms, 13th of 21, 14l behind Smokey Oakey (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) gs in Mar '08.
Huzzah (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Led centre group until driven and one pace final 2f, 5th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Expresso Star (8-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
Manassas (IRE) 22-1 (9-7) Chased leaders stands side, driven to lead over 1f out, held on well towards finish, won at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar beating Extraterrestrial (9-7) by 1/2l, 21 ran.
Proponent (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, 18th of 20, 18l behind Presvis (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gd in Sep.
Charm School 10-1 (8-11) In rear centre group, outpaced 2f out, kept on final furlong, 8th of 20, 7l behind Expresso Star (8-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
Extraterrestrial 13-2 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway on wide outside under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd last strides, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Mahadee (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Spectait 13-2 (9-7) Reared over start, refused to race, took no part, in a race won by Manassas (9-7) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar, 21 ran.
Whistledownwind 28-1 (9-0) In rear far side, effort over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 16th of 20, 18l behind Expresso Star (8-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
Cobo Bay 40-1 (8-12) Led far side unti headed over 2f out, driven and weakened final furlong, 12th of 20, 14l behind Expresso Star (8-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
Benandonner (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced inside final 2f, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd well inside final furlong, finished well, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Something (8-8) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Majuro (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Chased leaders far side, led over 1f out, soon headed, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 21, 1 1/4l behind Manassas (9-7) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
Boscage (USA) 5-4fav (9-3) Soon led, shaken up over 2f out, soon headed, weakened, last of 4, 8l behind Elna Bright (9-3) at Bath 1m stks (3) gf.
Slugger O'Toole 12-1 (9-9) Chased leaders stands side, ridden halfway, well beaten when eased inside final furlong, 18th of 21, 36l behind Manassas (9-7) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
Cordell (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, took keen hold and soon chasing leader, pushed along 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Mahadee (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Fanjura (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Elna Bright (9-3) at Bath 1m stks (3) gf.
Lucky Dance (BRZ) 33-1 (9-7) Mid-division stands side, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 2f, 5th of 21, 2l behind Manassas (9-7) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
Medici Pearl 66-1 (9-5) In rear far side, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 2f, 8th of 21, 5l behind Manassas (9-7) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
Jaser 14-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden along and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Expresso Star (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcap (3) gs in Oct.
Arabian Spirit 3-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, chased leaders and 3rd over 3f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 5, 3 1/2l behind Saltagioo (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) std in Mar.
Flipando (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Held up in touch far side, effort 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 20, 4l behind Expresso Star (8-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
Jack Dawkins (USA) 13-8 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, unable to quicken over 1f out, slightly hampered inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Orchard Supreme (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 1f 3yo stks (3) pol in Nov.
