in rear, headway halfway, edged left and led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, ridden 2f out, not much room and hampered over 1f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden and hampered over 1f out, no extra entering final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and hampered 1f out, soon eased final furlong
in touch, ridden and switched right over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
towards rear, headway 2f out, not much room and switched right over 1f out, kept on
led, ridden over 2f out, hampered over 1f out, soon headed and weakened
Lucky Numbers ran well under a penalty last time and has claims to return to winning ways here but the form of CHEVIOT is slightly stronger so he gets the selection with Miss Chamanda also likely to be involved in the shake up. It is his performance in a much better race two starts back that give the pick the edge on form where he wasn't far beaten by a couple of promising types. He was disappointing on his last visit to a racecourse but that was probably over an inadequate trip so on his return to six furlongs he looks good. Lucky Numbers ran with credit in a better race at Doncaster last time dispite carrying a six pounds penalty for a nice win on bottomless ground at Catterick. He does seem to produce his best on softish conditions so this ground could be quick enough. Miss Chamanda's best so far has come over the minimum trip but she looks nicely handicapped and is unexposed so could show us more. The form lines supporting the chances of Premier Lad were boosted by the excellent performance of Titus Andronicous this week and he could take advantage off bottom weight but in what should be a good contest we side with Cheviot.
Cheviot (USA) 8-11fav (8-13) Held up and off the pace, headway 2f out, challenged and hung left over 1f out, narrow lead entering final furlong, headed final 50 yards, lost 2 places near finish, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Cut The Cackle (8-12) at Windsor 5f 2yo hcp 0-95 (4) gs in Oct.
Lucky Numbers (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Held up behind leaders, effort over 2f, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2 3/4l behind Harry Patch (9-0) at Doncaster 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Nov.
Dubai Hills 9-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, driven and no impression final furlong, 9th of 14, 12l behind Definightly (9-7) at Doncaster 7f 2yo hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Miss Chamanda (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Went left start, soon led, driven and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd, and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Aroundthebay (8-7) at Kempton 6f flls hcp 0-85 (4) std in Mar.
Mister Laurel 66-1 (8-13) Raced stand side, driven and behind from halfway, 24th of 28, 15l behind Kingship Spirit (8-13) at Newmarket 6f 2yo aut (2) gf in Oct.
Captain Scooby 16-1 (8-6) Soon outpaced and hanging right in rear, not clear run entering final furlong, late progress, no chance, 9th of 13, 8l behind Aldermoor (9-7) at Chester 5f 2yo hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Hi Shinko 8-13fav (9-3) Led, ridden when challenged from over 1f out, kept on, won at Folkestone 6f 3yo mdn aut (6) gs in Mar beating Chris's Jem (8-12) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Premier Lad 13-8fav (8-12) Held up in touch, driven and headway over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, no extra final furlong, 2nd of 4, nk behind Fesko (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Feb.
