in touch in rear, headway over 1f out, led narrowly final 100 yards, ran on, readily
in touch in rear, pushed along halfway, never a factor
with leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and hung left from over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace
took keen hold close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
The progressive ALUMINA shrugged off a penalty to beat Black Vale by seven lengths here last week. Andrew Balding's filly is worth sticking with until beaten as she bids for her sixth win on the bounce. Aspirant and Outbacker are both winners on the Polytrack with the latter the least exposed of the pair. Hala Hala is only 1lb higher on her comeback than when landing a handicap at Ffos Las in September and should figure if handling the track. There are no such concerns regarding Royal Warrior as he made a winning start over 5f here, although that was back in April last year and he hasn't raced since.
Alumina (IRE) 8-13fav (9-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, won at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar beating Black Vale (8-9) by 7l, 4 ran.
Hala Hala (IRE) 8-1 (8-2) Carried left start, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 13l behind Autumn Lily (9-7) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Royal Warrior 6-4fav (9-5) Dwelt soon prominent, led halfway, ridden and hung right when pressed entering final furlong, asserted near finish, won at Southwell 5f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Apr '13 beating Far Gaze (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Outbacker (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, ran on close home, never reached winner, 2nd of 6, hd behind Captain Secret (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Aspirant 10-11fav (8-10) Broke well, soon tracking leaders, effort on inside over 1f out, soon every chance, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Skinny Love (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 3yo sell stks (6) pol in Jan.
Black Vale (IRE) 7-2 (8-9) Led, soon clear, headed over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Alumina (9-6) at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.