held up, headway over 2f out, soon one pace
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing winner, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on
prominent, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in touch, led over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, pushed out
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon outpaced and behind
prominent, driven to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, never dangerous
The selection here is Greenbelt, with Lockstock and, maybe True Night, proving best of the rest. True night holds claims based on the fact that he has won from a good few pounds higher on Turf, although he has yet to race on the all-weather. Out Of India improved to win at Redcar last time, but will need to do so again, while Monte Mayor Boy needs improvement too, but he has won over course and distance, as have Lockstock, who remains well-weighted on his Turf form, Sorbiesharry, who is well-weighted based on April Wolverhampton form, and Greenbelt, who runs under a penalty here after winning in a snowstorm at the track last time. He looked to have better to come there, hence his choice as the selection. Simply St Lucia has been knocking at the door from around today's mark of late and has won from a slightly-higher rating on Turf and, being lightly-raced, can't be ruled out of running well. Finally, Owed ended last year on a high but a six-pound penalty will test his credentials and, overall, we could not build a strong case for the others based on recent form. This returns us to the selection, which is Greenbelt.
Out of India 25-1 (8-8) Went right start, held up in touch, headway to lead well over 1f out, clear final furlong, won at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Oct beating Sovereignty (8-10) by 3l, 19 ran.
Monte Mayor Boy 7-1 (8-11) Mid-division, driven over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 14, 9l behind Byron Bay (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Cantarna (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) In touch, led briefly over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 12l behind Stevedore (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Owed 13-8fav (9-4) Held up behind leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on final furlong, won at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Dec beating Lady Suesanne (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lockstock (IRE) 9-2co-fav (9-2) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Easy Laughter (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Simply St Lucia 6-1 (9-4) Led, headed after 2f, remained in touch, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Quiet Reading (8-8) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Greenbelt 4-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, kept on strongly final furlong, won at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Dec beating Augustine (8-11) by 1l, 11 ran.
Devil's Island 28-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, always in rear, 11th of 14, 13l behind Qadar (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (D3) pol in Oct '04.
