held up and keen, headway 4 out, kept on from next
held up in touch, not fluent 6th, chased winner approaching 3 out, every chance last, not quicken flat
held up, in 6th and one pace when hit last
held up in touch, chased leaders 3rd, one pace from 3 out
held up, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out, no impression
led to 3rd, chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed after 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching next
tracked leaders, pushed along 5th, weakened after 4 out
tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden next, under pressure last, stayed on
held up, chased leaders approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next
tracked leaders, lost place 4 out
With nothing an obvious threat in opposition we'll take ZAFFARELLA to follow up her recent Ayr success, while Ardesia and Longdale have frame claims. The selection seemed to improved markedly for the step up to this trip at the Scottish track, winning very easily on soft ground that day. Similar conditions prevail today and a 12lb rise is clearly plenty, but the manner of her win suggested that she should be up to defying the extra burden. Longdale has dropped 2lbs since being well beaten last time. That came after a victory over this trip at Sedgefield and we can expect a bit better again today. Ardesia stuck on well when beaten last time. He handles cut and is worth another try at this trip. Clueless is out of form and on the wrong ground here, Cashmere Jack needs to improve plenty, and Beau Largesse, who ran a nice race at Musselburgh last time, may be a better proposition. Even so, we think Zaffarella can score.
Clueless 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 12, 42l behind Cruise Director (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Ardesia (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) In touch, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Nelson du Ronceray (11-9) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Longdale 20-1 (10-5) Behind, headway halfway to go mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, no extra from next, 6th of 14, 16l behind Lie Forrit (11-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Beau Largesse 6-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on from next, 4th of 14, 5l behind Ormus (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Zaffarella (IRE) 11-4fav (10-11) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching 3 out, clear from last, won at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb beating Pay On (11-0) by 15l, 12 ran.
Cashmere Jack 12-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 14, 13l behind Noticeable (11-2) at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Optimum (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Led until mistake and headed 3 out, soon under pressure and weakened, 11th of 19, 28l behind Lordsbridge (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Feb '08.
Fair Spin 22-1 (10-1) With leaders, jumped right 6th, lost place 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 18, well behind Delightfully (11-11) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
Oscar Trial (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) In touch, weakened 6 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Just Smudge (12-1) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Tuatara Bay (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) Behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Delightfully (11-11) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan, 18 ran.
Bumble Rose (IRE) 150-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, 7th of 12, well behind Knockara Beau (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Vicario 14-1 (11-4) Prominent to 1st, soon mid-division, ridden after 5th, stayed on from 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 16, 20l behind Mars Rock (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb.
