slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, headway 3f out, led over 2f out, clear entering final furlong, easily
chased leaders, hung right from well over 3f out, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, switched left and effort over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, driven halfway, hard ridden and effort over 1f out, never able to challenge
led, raced keenly, headed over 2f out, hard ridden and hung left approaching final furlong, soon one pace
The two penalised runners, Ant Music and Premium Charge, have to be feared but it may prove worth taking a chance with DEMONSTRATIVE. The Mark Johnston trained selection has yet to get his head in front and was well held at this track when a short-priced favourite but he looks fairly treated on the pick of last season's performances and it looks significant that connections have opted to persevere with him and return to this venue where they have such a good record. A good run from Turning Circle earlier on the card would advertise the claims of Ant Music as Stan Moore's runner comfortably accounted for that one in a course and distance maiden on his first run at the track; he could well go on. Premium Charge also made a winning debut at the track although he was hardpressed to do so and the result could have been different if the runner-up had been faster into stride. He had a tough race and will need to dig deep in order to follow up. Novay Essjay scored on his last visit and could improve for the longer trip whilst Gold Party is well worth a market check but we'll give Demonstrative the chance to prove last season's form to be all wrong.
Demonstrative (USA) 4-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, pushed along in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 14l behind Starry Mount (8-11) at Ayr 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Novay Essjay (IRE) 13-8fav (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 5, 1l behind Pomeroy (8-9) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Ant Music (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Made all, ridden 2f out, driven out, won at Southwell 7f mdn auc stks (6) fbs beating Turning Circle (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Tealing 5-1 (8-0) Steadied start, held up in rear, no progress final 2f, last of 7, 11l behind Love Delta (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Gold Party 14-1 (8-10) Tracked winner, weakened 2f out, last of 4, 6l behind Lovers Causeway (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Premium Charge 15-8fav (8-13) Made all, ridden and under pressure over 1f out, driven out, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Buzz Bird (8-6) by ns, 6 ran.
