chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, pulled hard early, never dangerous
chased leaders over 3f
slowly into stride, switched right and effort over 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders over 3f
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, stayed on under pressure final furlong, no chance with winner
tracked leader, always travelling well, led over 1f out, driven clear final furlong, easily
ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
outpaced, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, no extra final furlong
Rowe Park can get recent losses back, with Trinculo, Taboor and After The Show seen as the main dangers. Successful in three of his last four races, Rowe Park found the turnaround in the weights with Almaty Express too much at Wolverhampton last time, having beaten that rival the time before. However, a mark of 65 does not appear too harsh as the four-year-old now makes his Fibresand debut, and judged by the way that he has battled at the end of his races, the surface may bring out the best in him. Trinculo is not the force he once was, and has it to do with the selection on Wolverhampton form, and a bigger danger may well be Taboor who took too keen a hold when narrowly beaten by Romany Nights at Kempton last time. With Eddie Ahern on board, he rates a potential threat. After The Show made eye-catching headway when fourth on his last outing at Kempton just over two months ago, and lines up fresh after that mini-break so is another to consider despite the fact that he has topweight. Rowe Park has done little wrong though and is the one to beat.
After The Show 10-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, pushed along 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind No Time (8-10) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Danzig River (IRE) 50-1 (8-5) In rear and pulled hard, brief effort over 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind Chicken Soup (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Nusoor (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, raced wide in rear, ridden 2f out, never nearer, 7th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Louphole (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Trinculo (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Led 1f, prominent, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Almaty Express (8-3) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Stoneacre Boy (IRE) 10-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride and always outpaced, last of 9, 10l behind Turn On The Style (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Rowe Park 11-4fav (9-2) Chased leader throughout, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Almaty Express (8-2) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Maktavish 9-1 (8-4) Led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Magic Glade (8-6) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Taboor (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, headway over 1f out, stayed on to dispute lead and every chance final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Romany Nights (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.