prominent over 5f
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on, never reach leaders
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
soon behind
held up, edged left 5f out, ridden and headway when not clear run over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, no impression final furlong
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway when not clear run 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, hampered and lost place soon after start, effort but not clear run over 2f out, soon weakened
started slowly, hampered 5f out, always behind
in touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
always towards rear
A chance is taken with Habshan, who is selected ahead of Acomb, Moors Myth and Distant Country, who are all capable of making this a good test. As is Arry Dash, who is no forlorn hope despite tendency to leave himself with too much to do near the finish. Distant Country is a horse with a fair amount of ability for a race of this nature and can continue to pay his way this term. His current connections went to ¿14,000 when they claimed him at Lingfield and will obviously be hoping to recoup some of their outlay before too long. He has solid place claims in this company and should be thereabouts if he runs to form. As should Acomb, who is better than recent form figures would have you believe. However, his yard seems to have gone off the boil lately and he everything to drop right for him. It is also worth noting that he is 5lb higher than his last winning mark on turf and he may need to drop a little further in the weights before he can seriously be recommended. Moors Myth won well at Redcar last October but failed to capitalise when he was last seen out. He is 3lb lower as a result and can give his supporters a good run for the money if he is fully wound up after his break. However, we just prefer Habshan on this occasion, as he looked the more progressive last season. He is set to encounter his ideal conditions and can make the most of what looks to be an ideal starting point for his season today.
Acomb 11-2 (8-11) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 14, 5l behind Little Jimbob (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Arry Dash 14-1 (9-11) Towards rear, driven along and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 16, 1l behind Sangiovese (9-6) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (5) gd.
Habshan (USA) 5-1 (9-4) Held up, progress 2f out to chase leaders, switched sharply right inside final furlong, ran on strongly, just failed, 3rd of 16, nk behind Liberty Royal (8-11) at Salisbury 1m hcp (E3) gd in Sept.
Balearic Star (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Pulled hard in touch, behind final 2f, 11th of 12, 8l behind Milady's Pride (11-1) at Sandown 1m hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Distant Country (USA) 9-1 (11-1) Held up last, headway on outside approaching final furlong, ran on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Milady's Pride (11-1) at Sandown 1m hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Bailieborough (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Held up and behind, pushed along 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 11, 5l behind Stoic Leader (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Moors Myth 10-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 11l behind Polar Magic (8-10) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (D2) pol in Oct.
Fraternity 10-1 (9-2) Led, headed over 1f out, weakened and hung right inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 9l behind Sir Haydn (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol in Apr.
