towards rear on outside, pushed along 3f out, driven along over 2f out, soon weakened
steadied start, held up well in rear, headway and switched left to inside 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, finished well, never able to challenge
towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up and behind, smooth headway from 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, led well over 1f out, stayed on well, driven out
dwelt, soon in touch, ridden on outside over 2f out, driven and weakened over 1f out
chased leader until over 3f out, pushed along and stayed in 3rd, chased winner over 1f out, until not quicken inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders 7f
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, chased winner until over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along halfway, struggling in rear 3f out
Nonrunner
EMIRATE ISLE looks worth chancing now back over a mile on a sound surface and Brian Storey's gelding is fancied to see off Morocchius and Quiet Mountain in a competitive handicap. The selection was in uninspiring form over hurdles this winter but is more interesting on his win at Carlisle last August. Good ground evidently suits and racing off the same mark he should run well with the cheek-pieces re-applied. Silken Promise has been in good form over the winter but he finds it hard to win, so a better option for win backers may be Quiet Mountain who is 5lb higher than winning at Wolverhampton a couple of weeks ago but still not handicapped out of things. Morocchius is a course and distance winner and he is 6lb higher than when scoring last; he will be fit after a recent spin at Thirsk and is far from discounted. Film Festival is now 16lb lower than when seen in handicaps in November 2008, Phantom Serenade's latest win came in selling grade but the yard are in good form, whilst Crocodile Bay needs a market check with his yard having a purple patch over the winter months. The consistent Hettie Hubble is considered off bottom weight with Paul Pickard a good jockey booking, however the most tentative of votes is given to Emirate Isle.
Emirate Isle 20-1 (9-13) Prominent, driven over 2f, soon weakened, 13th of 18, 14l behind Spring Goddess (9-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f ldy hcp (4) gd in Oct '08.
Film Festival (USA) 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, behind final 2f, 10th of 15, 13l behind Academy Blues (9-4) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Morocchius (USA) 6-1 (8-12) In rear, ridden and headway on outer over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind King of The Moors (9-2) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Quiet Mountain (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) In touch, headway to 3rd over 6f out, led going well over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol beating Ermine Grey (9-1) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Silken Promise (USA) 4-1fav (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance from over 2f out, stayed on gamely final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Highland River (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Fathey (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, hard ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 17, 6l behind Markhesa (8-5) at Leicester 7f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd in Oct.
Phantom Serenade (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Raced wide towards rear, headway on outside 4f out, chased leaders 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 18l behind Zaplamation (10-2) at Redcar 1m 2f lady am hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
Silly Gilly (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Prominent, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 15, 10l behind Academy Blues (9-4) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Polish World (USA) 40-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 17, 13l behind Stonecrabstomorrow (9-3) at Redcar 6f clm stks (6) fm in May.
Hettie Hubble 16-1 (8-6) Towards rear, kept on one pace final 2f, 4th of 12, 8l behind Whispering Spirit (8-0) at Catterick 7f 3yo clm (6) sft in Sep.
Crocodile Bay (IRE) 9-2 (8-4) Reluctant to leave stalls, behind, never a factor, 6th of 11, 12l behind Flores Sea (9-2) at Southwell 7f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
