led early, tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish
mid-division, headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 1f out, one pace and no impression inside final furlong
prominent, led over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, pushed out
reared in stalls, mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on, no impression on leaders
held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
slow away, rear of mid-division, headway and switched left over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, not trouble winner
took keen hold, led, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, well beaten over 1f out
prominent, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
Blazing Son ended last year with a double, including a course and distance success, and returns to action only 4lb higher but THAKI (NAP) is preferred. The latter was beaten only a neck in a higher grade sprint over track and trip last time and can go one better back on a winning mark. Tathmeen finished behind the selection having beaten Nickleby when scoring here earlier but Atlantic Heart posted a better effort last time. Gunnerside, however, is upped in class.
Blazing Son 11-4 (9-5) Prominent, led over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, won at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Highjacked (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Thaki (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, kept on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind One More Dream (9-9) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Kapono 40-1 (8-5) Led near side group and 2nd overall, led halfway until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 5 1/4l behind The Gatekeeper (9-9) at Newcastle 7f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Athollblair Boy (IRE) 28-1 (8-13) Held up off the pace in 6th, headway chasing leaders over 1f out, not clearest of runs soon after, ran on towards finish but never going pace to get involved, 5th of 12, 3l behind Mighty Power (9-9) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Atlantic Heart (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Held up in mid-division, not clear run inside final furlong, ran on when in the clear, never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 10, 1 1/4l behind One Hart (9-0) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Tathmeen (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, ran on final 75 yards, no impression, 8th of 9, 2 1/2l behind One More Dream (9-9) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Mumcat 12-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Local Bay (9-7) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Crocodile Power (IRE) 3-1fav (9-9) Chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, faded 1f out, 10th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Tathmeen (9-5) at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Nickleby (IRE) 10-3 (8-13) Awkward start, took keen hold, towards rear, kept on final 150 yards, no impression, 6th of 9, 1 1/2l behind One More Dream (9-9) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Macho Pride (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Off the pace in last trio, some late minor headway, never involved, 6th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Jems Bond (9-3) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Gunnerside (IRE) 10-3 (9-11) Took keen hold, prominent, pushed along over 1f out, went second inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Merry Secret (9-6) at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
