went left start, prominent, led 2f out, hung left under pressure over 1f out, kept on well
chased leaders, outpaced approaching halfway, stayed on from over 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch, effort over 2f out, ran on into 2nd inside final furlong, never reached winner
dwelt, always behind
carried left start, soon led, headed 2f out, stayed on same pace
in touch, headway well over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace
The veteran Mister Music missed out by only a nose over track and trip last time while The Eagle's Nest was beaten only a head last week attempting to land a hat-trick of course wins and can race off the same mark. CHARLIE ARTHUR (NAP) has also been in good form here and completed a course and distance double a fortnight ago. That second outing was his first since November and he may well defy a 3lb rise with Richard Hughes’ yard in red-hot form. Zodiakos has plenty to find with the selection and the remaining pair are also hard to recommend.
Charlie Arthur (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Half reared start, prominent, led 4f out, headed 3f out, led again inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Velvet Vision (9-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
Mister Music 4-1 (9-5) Outpaced in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, went 2nd and every chance throughout final furlong, lost on the nod, 2nd of 7, shd behind Native Silver (9-4) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Kentuckyconnection (USA) 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Kind Review (8-13) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Zodiakos (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, in rear on outside, headway over 4f out, one pace over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 6 1/2l behind Charlie Arthur (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Noble Account 11-2 (9-9) Tracked leader, led 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, caught post, 3rd of 9, shd behind Traveller (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
The Eagle's Nest (IRE) 6-4fav (9-6) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 3f out, 2nd over 2f out, challenged 2f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, headed towards finish, rallied, 2nd of 10, hd behind Palazzo (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.