held up in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, never on terms
held up, some headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, lost place over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, soon edged right, ran on to lead and edged left under pressure inside final furlong, all out
held up towards rear, headway final furlong, never on terms
behind, pushed along over 3f out, soon no impression
prominent, took keen hold, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Safqa gets the confident vote in this handicap with Storm On The Run and Zennerman rating the main dangers. The selection won with a little in hand last time out when beating O'Tara and although having a penalty for that win he looks a progressive type and under conditions that suit he is taken to score. Storm On The Run rates the main danger on his latest second behind Ebnert but he will do well to give weight and a beating to the unexposed selection.Zonnerman is another that could go well on his latest third behind Stonehaug but he continues to rise in the weights without winning and is opposable on that basis. North Walk is another with place claims on his best form but he has given the impression of late he will be suited by a longer trip and is passed over for that reason. Of the remainder Airbuss looks sure to run his race but he looks weighted up to his best and with this in mind for the winner we return to the unexposed Safqa.
Startori 12-1 (8-6) Held up, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Nakheel (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 2yo lst stk (1) gs in Oct.
Storm On The Run (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, ran on well final furlong and went 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Ebert (8-10) at Salisbury 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Zennerman (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Stonehaugh (9-0) at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
North Walk (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Glenmuir (9-6) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Safqa 11-4 (8-12) Made all, ridden and quickened over 1f out, kept on well, won at York 1m 3yo mdn (4) gf in Jun beating O'Tara (9-3) by 2l, 7 ran.
Airbuss (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, staying on when not much room inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Prince Evelith (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Methusaleh (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Towards rear, driven 4f out, ridden 2f out, never reached challenging position, 5th of 8, 11l behind Formal Decree (9-1) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Right Ted (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) In touch, effort and headway to chase leaders approaching 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind The Gaikwar (9-5) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.