held up in mid-division, reminders after 4th, stayed on under pressure before 2 out, one pace before last
keen, held up behind leaders, effort and not much room 2 out, chased leader alone before last, strong challenge flat, driven ahead final stride
held up in mid-division, behind from 8th, tailed off when blundered 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, close up when mistake 2 out, weakened before last
held up in mid-division, jumped slowly and lost place 6th, soon behind, pulled up before last
in touch, tracked leading pair 3 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, kept on well flat, caught final stride, finished lame
held up towards rear, effort and mistake 2 out, soon beaten
behind, effort under pressure after 3 out, one pace and no impression next
raced keenly, tracked leaders until weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, ridden and not keen before 8th, headway approaching 2 out, chased leaders last, one pace and no impression flat
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened qucikly next
pulled hard, tracked leader to 8th, weakened quickly next
led, hit 2nd, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened and mistake last 2
always rear, mistake 7th, tailed off 3 out
The vote here goes to Back Nine, with others to consider being Kiwi Babe, Greenfield, Aldiruos and Bohemian Boy. The selection put in an improved effort to score over course and distance last time and a five-pound rise for that does not seem excessive, so he looks set to run a big race. While the handicapper does not seem to have taken any chances with Will Of The People, Kiwi Babe can be expected to go fairly well from her current mark. A return to his form of a year ago would give General Duroc a good chance although Richard Johnson has elected to ride Greenfield, who holds place claims, from the same yard. If applying literal Sandown and Newbury form using Kjetil, Aldiruos, Pretty Star and Bohemian Boy, then Aldiruos has the edge on Bohemian Boy. However, the latter seemed to be on the up at Newbury last time and, with his rating set to go up by four pounds, connections are attempting to take advantage of that fact by running again quickly. He should go well, as indeed should Aldiruos. Of the others, Golden Bay seems to be getting things together a bit better now and her stable has been among the winners lately, while Ballyalbany and Kelly are others that could have improvement in them. Oysterhaven's second to Go For Bust last time was let down on Wednesday but, given that that was an improved effort, he might be able to bag some money. However, for the selection, we are staying loyal to Back Nine.
Will of The People (IRE) 13-2 Never fluent, led, ridden and headed 8th, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Just Kate at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Jan.
Back Nine (IRE) 12-1 Held up mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, driven and held on flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gd in Feb beating Durante by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Kiwi Babe 25-1 Held up mid-division, headway 5th, ridden when every chance 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Tell The Trees at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb.
Keepers Mead (IRE) 20-1 In touch, ridden and weakened approaching last, 4th of 18, 12l behind Sungates at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Feb.
General Duroc (IRE) 40-1 Mid-division, jumped slowly 6th and 7th, behind from 8th, no chance when jumped badly right from 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Over The Creek at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Feb.
Greenfield (IRE) 8-1 Prominent, chased leader after 2nd, mistake and driven 6th, lost 2nd approaching next, outpaced before 2 out, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Anatar at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Feb.
Bohemian Boy (IRE) 8-1 Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, kept on well to take 2nd run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Pretty Star at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs.
Aldiruos (IRE) 12-1 Held up, steady headway approaching 2 out, every chance when hit last, not quicken flat, 3rd of 15, 1/2l behind Pretty Star at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Feb.
Kelly (SAF) 7-1 Held up in rear, headway 3 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Kims Pearl at Chepstow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb.
Shining Lights (IRE) 3-1 Held up, some headway 8th, weakened approaching 13th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Monita Des Bois at Towcester 2m 6f mrs nov chs (D) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Golden Bay 3-1fav Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway after 3 out, challenged next, no impression and weakened before last, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Up At Midnight at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb.
Ballyalbany (IRE) 9-2 Held up and pulled hard, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Irish Legend at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Oysterhaven (IRE) 14-1 Led 7th, headed approaching 3 out, not much room and lost place approaching 2 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Go For Bust at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Feb.
Galaxy Sam (USA) 33-1 Behind when fell at the 3rd in race won by Pretty Star at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs, 13 ran.
