held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
with leader, led over 4f out, driven, headed over 1f out, no extra close home
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on gamely final furlong
led, ridden, headed over 4f out, soon weakened
SABANCAYA is the selection with Blue Hills and Three Boars put up as alternatives. Pam Sly's charge won a recent amateur riders race in decent style and provided that the extra two furlongs represents no extra problems, it would be a brave man to oppose the filly. Blue Hills was given a peach of a ride in the other division of the race already mentioned. Ironically he seems to go better for an inexperienced pilot so it will be fascinating to see if he can be humoured into cooperating with a professional. Three Boars is tried in a visor for the first time. He stays this trip well and could be capable of leaving behind some modest form. Merrion Tiger was bred very much with speed in mind but he won well over 1m4f last time out and has campaigned over hurdles in the past. Zaffeu needs little introduction to aficionados of staying handicaps around here. Saloon makes a debut for Peter Bowen having left Sean Curran. Up In Arms did not set the world alight on his reappearance from a sizeable absence. The well bred Always Certain was hastily despatched from Mark Johnston yard and has made little impact for Pat Murphy. Safin appears best of the rest. Sabancaya gets the nod.
Up In Arms (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, ridden and losing touch from 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 10th of 11, 8l behind Night Orbit (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Blue Hills 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 8f out, ridden clear over 3f out, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m 6f amt hcp (6) fbs in Jan beating Safin (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sabancaya 4-1co-fav (10-7) Held up in touch, improved 4f out, chased leader well over 1f out, led 1f out, ridden and stayed on well, won at Southwell 1m 6f amt hcp (6) fbs in Jan beating Sea Cliff (10-12) by a ns, 13 ran.
Merrion Tiger (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Prominent, led over 4f, clear 2f out, ridden out final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan beating Gayanula (8-8) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Que Beauty (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride, raced wide, some headway 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 13, 27l behind Blue Hills (11-2) at Southwell 1m 6f amt hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
Zaffeu 4-1co-fav (11-7) Raced wide, in touch, ridden 4f out, one pace from over 2f out, 4th of 13, 13l behind Sabancaya (10-7) at Southwell 1m 6f amt hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
Born West (USA) 28-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, weakened over 6f out, 13th of 14, well behind Quitit (8-13) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct.
Three Boars 7-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, chased leaders 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 13l behind Little Carmela (10-0) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Saloon (USA) 9-4fav (9-4) Close up, led 3f out, headed over 1f out, no impression and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 11, 4l behind She's So Pretty (9-4) at Brighton 1m 4f app hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Safin (GER) 16-1 (10-6) Pulled hard, held up in touch, hadway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Blue Hills (11-2) at Southwell 1m 6f amt hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
Pure Magic (FR) (9-6) 10th of 13, 9l behind Topper (8-11) at Copenhagen 1m 4f stk gd in Jun '05.
A Bit of Fun 11-2 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 10l behind Dextrous (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f banded stk (7) fbs in Mar '06.
Fight The Feeling 10-1 (8-8) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Sweetwater (8-8) at W'hampton 2m 1f banded stk (H5) pol in Feb '05.
Always Certain (USA) 10-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, raced keenly, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 6l behind Wind Flow (9-7) at Lingfield 2m clm (6) pol in Jan.
