chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out
soon pushed along and prominent, led on inner 3f out, soon driven, headed well over 1f out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd 1f out
slowly away, outpaced and always behind
chased leaders, ridden and kept on to chase winner final furlong, no impression
led early, with leader, led narrowly over 3f out until 2f out, handy until weakened over 1f out
ran wide in rear, plugged on one pace final 2f, never going pace to get competitive
dwelt, soon chased leaders, led well over 1f out, in command final furlong, readily
soon crossed over to lead, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Several course winners are set to take part in this trappy affair, so our preference for FLORES SEA ahead of Elusive Fame and Elusive Warrior is marginal. Our selection has been in the grip of the handicapper for a good while but finally drops down to what looks a winning mark of 72. That was certainly the case when the gelding scored off 74 back in March and with the track and trip appearing ideal he could well cause a minor upset; he certainly looks set to represent some each way value. If backing one of the Elusive runners watch your bets, although both have solid claims. Our preference of the two is for Elusive Fame who might just find today's seven furlongs more to his liking than a mile, although a 2lb rise for defeat last time does make life tougher. He'll doubtless be sent to the front early and, as with any from the yard, should prove hard to pass. Elusive Warrior has an admirable record here and his second last time was a good effort. Dropped 2lbs for it, connections will be happy with that and their charge is always worthy of respect over course and distance. He's readily preferred to Transmission of the rest. Brian Smart's five-year-old was sent off a well-supported favourite when searching for a hat-trick last time but was beaten before the mile trip became an issue, so perhaps the handicapper has him for the time being. Hits Only Jude remains far too high in the weights to be of interest and is surely better at sprint trips and Classic Descent is opposable in current form despite the fact he could improve for this surface. Of considerably more interest is Gaily Noble who arrives on the back of a good win, but his one try here suggested perhaps the surface isn't to the colt's liking and we prefer to return to Flores Sea who has no such issues.
Gaily Noble (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m hcap (4) pol beating Hereford Boy (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Transmission (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Tracked leader, under pressure over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 11, 10l behind Ours (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Jan.
Classic Descent 14-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders after 2f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 6, 24l behind Bajan Tryst (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Hits Only Jude (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, weakened and eased 1f out, last of 8, 21l behind Follow The Flag (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 9-4fav (8-10) Pressed leader, led over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no impression and eased inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Striker Torres (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Jan.
Flores Sea (USA) 20-1 (8-4) With leader, lost place over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Reve De Nuit (8-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Jan.
Tin Cha Woody (USA) 25-1 (9-6) Always in rear, last of 10, 17l behind Ella Woodcock (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Apache Ridge (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Raced wide, close up, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Sutton Veny (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-90) (5) pol in Jan.
Elusive Fame (USA) 17-2 (8-12) Prominent, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Ours (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Jan.
