headway on wide outside chasing leaders after 1f, weakened over 5f out
switched left start, held up in rear, steady headway on inside 5f out, kept on into never nearer 3rd over 1f out
tracked leaders, 2nd over 7f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
always behind
keen in mid-division, lost place and towards rear after halfway, never on terms after
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced 5f out, rallied over 1f out, plugged on final furlong, no threat
raced keenly, chased leaders, 2nd over 12f out, led halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
tracked leaders, lost place 6f out, soon towards rear, hung left and rallied into modest 4th inside final furlong
soon pushed along towards rear, reached mid-division ridden along in 5th 4f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, never travelled and always towards rear
led until halfway, lost 2nd 5f out, weakened over 4f out
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, plugged on final furlong, no threat
held up towards rear, steady headway on inside into mid-division 6f out, chased leaders over 4f out, switched right and went 2nd 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
raced keenly, tracked leader over 1f, remained handy, pushed along 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
Navajo Star landed a double over today’s trip back in October including a success at this track. But he hasn’t figured since while Buthelezi looks no nearer winning again despite slipping further down the weights. Empresario never threatened at Wolverhampton earlier in the week but TRADITIONAL DANCER was giving Navajo Star plenty of weight over track and trip earlier and re-opposes on much better terms having run well over hurdles recently. He gets a token vote in an unappealing contest.
Empresario (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Edged right start, mid-division, headway over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 12, 9l behind Great Return (9-7) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Buthelezi (USA) 2-1fav (9-11) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 8 3/4l behind The Gay Cavalier (9-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Navajo Star (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Soon led, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Aumerle (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Captain Sharpe 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 8th, one pace in 3rd before last, 3rd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Ascendant (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (5) sft in Jan.
Carta Blanca (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Led, headed 2nd, tracked leaders, weakened soon after 4 out, hit next, soon pulled up, at Musselburgh 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Hugoigo 33-1 (8-8) Close up, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 21l behind Apalis (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Traditional Dancer (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced, ridden before 2 out, kept on, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Treshnish (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Pantomime (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Prominent, under pressure over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 10 1/2l behind Dream Serenade (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Topalova 20-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, behind, some late headway, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Deebaj (9-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
La Bacouetteuse (FR) 66-1 (8-7) Towards rear and outpaced, 10th of 12, 18 3/4l behind Apalis (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Kazoey 66-1 (8-12) Held up, pushed along 6f out, behind over 4f out, last of 13, dist behind Ochos Rios (9-6) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Fillydelphia (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, plugged on from next, 4th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Shalamzar (10-7) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Archibelle 20-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, tracked leaders early, mid-division, outpaced 3f out, well held final 2f, last of 8, 7 3/4l behind Apalis (9-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Ease The Jets 33-1 (8-6) Towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression early straight, kept on one pace, 9th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Bog War (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
