held up towards rear, ridden along over 4f out, never trouble leaders
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten
towards rear, headway over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace
mid-division, effort over 4f out, soon behind
led, headed over 4f out, remained in touch, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
prominent, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, ridden along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind, headway over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden over 4f out, driven and kept on final 2f
Bright Sparky has plenty in his favour here and he gets the vote over Karmest and Smoothly Does It. The selection has done most of his racing in bumpers and over hurdles but he has shown promise in the past on the flat. He is open to plenty of improvement and he looks the percentage call. Richard Fahey's runner Smoothly Does It returns to the level after a series of creditable efforts over hurdles. However, he has yet to prove his effectiveness on the all-weather and for that reason we will take him on today. Karmest has not looked entirely straightforward and she will need to settle better than she has on her last couple of runs if she is to make her mark today. Anything Once has a good draw and could prove best of the others, but for the winner we will stick with Bright Sparky.
Smoothly Does It 22-1 (9-6) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, 7th of 16, 5l behind Golden Sprite (9-2) at Bath 1m 2f hcap (6) gd in Oct '06.
Tidy (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Soon behind and outpaced, 7th of 9, 20l behind Jord (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Nimello (USA) 11-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, effort 3f out, soon one pace, 6th of 12, 8l behind They All Laughed (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Apr.
Parchment (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 15, 20l behind Star of Angels (9-2) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Oct.
Bright Sparky (GER) 22-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 19l behind Sa Nau (8-12) at Redcar 1m 6f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Aug '06.
Karmest 13-2 (8-12) Tracked leader, driven and effort over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened, 12th of 13, 11l behind Play Up Pompey (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Anything Once (USA) 14-1 (8-6) Pulled hard, led after 2f, quickened at 8f out, headed 5f out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 9, 37l behind Sir Sandicliffe (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Island King (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden over 4f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Satindra (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stk (5) fbs in Dec.
Blue Opal 12-1 (8-10) Never a factor, 10th of 12, 20l behind Experimental (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Apr.
Interest (USA) 25-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 18l behind My Sara (8-6) at Southwell 1m 3yo mdn hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Piano Key 11-1 (8-5) In touch, niggled along from 6f out, edged left over 4f out, ridden and hung left over 2f out, soon beaten, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Prince of Medina (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec.