raced wide chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
pushed along towards rear, wide into straight 3f out, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
close up, ridden and headway to chase leader over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in rear, outpaced halfway
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
led 1f, tracked leaders, not clear run entering final 3f, ridden and headway to lead over 1f out, ran on
Mick Appleby sent out last year's winner and runs two with decent claims this time round. The progressive Philba is penalised having landed a hat-trick with his latest success over track and trip and has the beating of Showboating but stablemate CORDITE (NAP) is given another chance. The latter disappointed last time but a repeat of his earlier fourth to Westwood Hoe in Class 2 company here should see him go close. Dubai Hills was behind the selection earlier but has placed at the track subsequently and is preferred to the likes of Zaeem, Captain Lars and Boots And Spurs, who have all been running well in lower grade races of late.
Zaeem 7-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, smooth progress on outside over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Southwell 7f hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Captain Revelation (9-3) by 5l, 9 ran.
Showboating (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, never a threat, 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Philba (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Captain Lars (SAF) 5-4fav (8-9) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, ridden clear over 1f out, very easily, won at Southwell 1m stks (6) pol in Jan beating Hannington (9-1) by 7l, 8 ran.
Dubai Hills 16-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Ian's Memory (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Cordite (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 4f out, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Ian's Memory (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Philba 4-1 (8-9) Led after 1f, hard driven when challenged over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Certificate (9-7) by hd, 7 ran.
Boots And Spurs 6-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd final 50 yards, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Loyalty (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.