held up, ridden and outpaced 5f out, kept on under pressure final 2f to go third towards finish, no chance with leading pair
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on and every chance until no extra final 75 yards
with leader, lost place over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, outpaced over 4f out, chased leading pair over 3f out, soon ridden and no impression, lost 3rd towards finish
tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 4f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furlong
held up, outpaced over 7f out, soon struggling, no danger after
Sue Lamyman's DART was good value for her win over course and distance last month when beating Merrion Tiger by two and a half lengths and she can defy the 6lb penalty for that success and gets the vote over Victory Quest and Ibrox. The last mentioned has shown improved form in recent starts but is far from certain to stay this far despite being out of a Slip Anchor mare and he may have to settle for minor honours. Peter Hiatt's My Friend Fritz has disappointed in his last couple of starts but has got a good record here so cannot be discounted although he could probably do with some help from the handicapper. Baltimore Patriot has shown some promise in limited starts for Roger Curtis since coming from Ireland and is unproven on the Fibresand so has to be considered off what seems a fair mark. Mirpour is readily discounted on recent form over fences and previous form on the level with a bigger threat likely to come from Victory Quest. Sue Lamyman's gelding is much better than he was able to show when tailed off here last time but stable companion Dart has an obvious chance and can win again.
Ibrox (IRE) 5-2fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Profit's Reality (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
My Friend Fritz 10-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, driven and weakened over 3f out,, 8th of 12, 49l behind Aureate (11-7) at Southwell 1m 4f Am clm stks (6) fbs in May.
Victory Quest (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 4f out, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Clear Reef (10-0) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Baltimore Patriot (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Held up, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 12, 7l behind Prince Charlemagne (10-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f amt hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Dart 3-1 (9-4) Held up, headway on outer to track leaders over 4f out, pressed leader well over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, asserted towards finish, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec beating Merrion Tiger (9-8) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mirpour (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, weakened from 3f out, last of 18, 43l behind Flashy Beau (9-5) at Curragh 1m 6f hcap gs in Jul '08.
