mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
prominent, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, ridden and hung left from over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression
mid-divsion, took keen hold, headway 5f out, ridden and edged left 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, took keen hold, hampered over 3f out, never in contention
led, headed and ridden over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
in touch, lost place 5f out, pushed along and weakened over 3f out
held up, not clear run over 3f out, always towards rear
The trio for the shortlist in this maiden are TIGER STAR, Royal Etiquette and Free Grain and the vote goes to Tiger Star. The selection was well beaten on his debut at Kempton in November, but he stepped up considerably on that effort the following month at the same track when he chased home Gracious Melange. That race has thrown up five winners so the form looks rock solid and if he can improve again then he should be hard to beat. Royal Etiquette has been off the track since November so race fitness could be an issue, but the race he finished third in last time has worked out particularly well and on that basis he has a big chance. Free Grain catches the eye on breeding but she has failed to sparkle so far on the racecourse and it will be interesting to see if she has improved for the winter break. Two Certainties hails from a yard who like a tilt at the ring so he is one to note in the market, while Annelko was slowly away on debut and might be capable of better today. This looks a good opportunity for Tiger Star who get the nomination.
Annelko 66-1 (9-3) Slowly away and always behind, 9th of 12, 26l behind Database (9-0) at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
First Fandango 12-1 (9-3) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 8l behind Gardening Leave (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Flying Destination 7-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 7, 5l behind White Dart (8-8) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Polebrook 250-1 (8-7) Chased leaders 5f, 13th of 16, 20l behind Mufarrh (9-0) at Leicester 7f mdn stks (4) gd in Oct.
Royal Etiquette (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Slightly hampered start, soon recovered to track leader, ridden over 2f out, carried slightly left entering final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Powerful Melody (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Southwark Newsman Sulamani gelding out of Another Nightmare.
Tiger Star 22-1 (9-3) Awkward leaving stalls, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong to take 2nd post, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Gracious Melange (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Two Certainties 66-1 (8-6) Held up, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 16l behind Aspro Mavro (9-11) at Yarmouth 1m 2f mdn auc stks (6) sft.
Belgooree 11-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, took keen hold, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 25l behind Lady Of Akita (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn fll stks (5) pol in Dec.
Free Grain 11-2 (9-0) Towards rear, ran green and behind final 3f, last of 20, 36l behind Revered (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gd in Oct.
Pleasant Way (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) In touch, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 19l behind Sowaylm (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov.
Hannah Hawk Hawk Wing filly out of Regal Portrait.
