led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, switched right 3f out, soon carried head high, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, chased winner well over 1f out, no chance
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden clear from 2f out, eased well inside final furlong
An ordinary contest can go the way of WIDEZAIN, who edges preference ahead of Sposalizio and Nezhenka. The last named, like so many of her predecessors from Sir Mark Prescott's yard, is very much a work in progress and it would be perilous to underestimate her talents. Prescott's filly was introduced over a mile at Southwell earlier in the month but tries a more appropriate trip today. She is open to any amount of improvement and is one to follow with interest when she goes handicapping after this. Sposalizio has a similar profile and, having been given an educational introduction at Yarmouth 17 days ago; the son of Dr Fong could be a different proposition in this smaller field. The betting market will be a good gauge where he is concerned. Of the others: Brink made modest gains last season but struggled to make an impact on her return last month. Stepping back into a maiden might be a good move considering her stiff looking mark. But she does need to show a good deal more today. The same statement applies to Urban Clubber, who is bred to be suited by the distance but showed very little in four starts last term. A 310-day absence is also off-putting. Therefore, with all things considered, Widezain is forwarded as the best option on this occasion. Time may tell that he faced an impossible task against a (now) 87-rated animal last time out. And, as he would be giving weight away all-round if this were a handicap, Mick Channon appears to have all the bases covered in his bid to get Widezain off the mark this afternoon.
Short Supply (USA) 10-1 (8-8) Mid-division, driven 5f out, behind final 4f, tailed off, last of 15, well behind Noah Jameel (8-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Sposalizio (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Mid-division, driven and outpaced 4f out, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 12, 18l behind Lucky Breeze (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (6) gf.
Urban Clubber 7-2 (9-0) In rear, ridden 4f out, kept on never nearer, 6th of 9, 5l behind Jehu (9-7) at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp (5) sft in Jul.
Widezain (IRE) 15-8 (8-7) Led, ridden and headed approching 2f out, hung left and no extra final furlong, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Submariner (9-12) at Folkestone 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf in Apr.
Brink 7-1 (8-4) Tracked winner, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 10l behind Battlemaiden (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Nezhenka 20-1 (8-9) Held up behind, ridden and effort on inside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 14l behind Innocuous (9-0) at Southwell 1m mdn auc stks (5) fbs.
