mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, well beaten final furlong
mid-division, headway going well over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, closed and pushed along on outside form 3f out, no impression and weakened from over 1f out
held up in rear, hanging right over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home
tracked leaders, not much room over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 4th close home
chased leaders, ridden and close up over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon headed, lost 2nd well inside final furlong, no extra and dropped to 5th close home
led, edged right and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 2f out, went 2nd well inside final furlong, ran on, no impression on winner
always towards rear
chased leaders, pulled hard, ridden over 2f out, faded inside final furlong
held up in rear, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
BROCTUNE RED won a division of this contest last year and has scored off a higher mark subsequently. He’s taken to reverse earlier running here with Engles Rock. The latter has subsequently finished behind Velma when Chris Fairhurst’s charge also beat Balqaa and Possible Ambition while Smart Connection was beaten only a head attempting to land a hat-trick on the Polytrack. Tyche went close again at Southwell having won off a 5lb lower mark over 7f here last year.
Alafdhal (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Close up, wide and headway over 2f out, pressed winner briefly entering final 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 6, 10 3/4l behind Notre Belle Bete (9-5) at Lingfield 1m stks (5) pol in Feb.
Broctune Red 5-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, lost place over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, lacked pace to get on terms, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Millionaire Waltz (9-6) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Engles Rock (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Slowly away, switched right over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 4th close home, 4th of 12, 1l behind Cathayensis (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Balqaa 4-1 (9-4) Raced keenly and always towards rear, 8th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Velma (8-9) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Smart Connection (IRE) 7-4fav (9-6) Chased leaders, challenged over 1f out, led entering final furlong, soon headed, ran on, 2nd of 9, hd behind Hackbridge (9-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Possible Ambition 18-1 (9-3) Never closer than mid-division, 7th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Velma (8-9) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Susie Javea 25-1 (9-7) Led, headed over 6f out, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 3l behind Dubai Emperor (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Corndavon Lad (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up off the pace in last pair, never on terms, last of 7, 5 1/4l behind Gweedore (10-0) at Ayr 1m hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Tyche 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride and bumped start, outpaced in rear, good headway out wide over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished well but always just held, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Daafy (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Tistaahal 33-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 11th of 12, 9 3/4l behind Intervention (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Velma 16-1 (8-9) Raced keenly in mid-division, smooth headway chasing leaders over 2f out, switched right to rail over 1f out, ridden and went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on to lead inside final 100 yards, won at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb beating Cathayensis (9-4) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Power Player 40-1 (8-2) Held up towards rear, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Cathayensis (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
