in touch, led after 3f, ridden along over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, one pace final furlong
took keen hold to lead, headed after 3f, soon ridden along, weakened over 3f out
towards rear, ridden along over 4f out, some late headway, never troubled leaders
mid-division, ridden along and headway on inner over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
always rear division
mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up behind leaders, smooth progress to lead well over 2f out, soon clear, easily
held up, pushed long and headway over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden along over 4f out, headway on inner over 1f out, never reached challenging position
in touch, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Dart has been going well without winning recently but he can put that right here and break his duck at the main expense of Grizeback, with Lady Nimue an interesting debutante. The James Fanshawe-trained selection has gone close on all her last three starts and should not be inconvenienced by the drop back to 11 furlongs here. A repeat of any of those recent runs would probably be good enough in what is not a strong contest. Grizebeck has put up some decent efforts in defeat, and this represents a drop in class for Roger Fisher's gelding, who should appreciate that and go close. Lady Nimue is interesting and would be even more so if the market speaks in her favour. Certainly her pedigree, a sister to Mae Cigan, suggests that this trip will be right up her street, though she may still need this initial outing. Roy Bowring's West End Lad looks best of the remainder, and with form on the board we will take Dart to pitch up on the winner's podium for the first time.
Grizebeck (IRE) 18-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, effort over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 5th of 8, 11l behind Toparudi (9-13) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcap (4) gs in Sept.
Hill Farm Shanty 40-1 (8-7) Started very slowly, ridden 4f out, no impression and hung badly left from 2f out, 4th of 6, 19l behind Miss The Boat (8-2) at Windsor 1m 4f mdn aut stk (5) gd in Jun '05.
King of Connacht 6-1 (9-9) Always in rear, last of 8, 30l behind Velma Kelly (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Sept.
West End Lad 66-1 (9-1) Soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 31l behind Mr Mischief (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Betterlatethanever (IRE) 100-1 (9-3) In touch, reminders halfway, soon beaten, last of 8, 43l behind Handset (8-12) at Pontefract 1m 3yo mdn (5) gf in Oct.
Franky'n'jonny 14-1 (9-3) Behind, ridden over 2f out, soon out pace, 9th of 10, 14l behind Crazy Bear (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Dart 2-1fav (8-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 2f, ridden to lead and bumped slightly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, nk behind Vivacita (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Nov.
Lady Nimue (FR) Medaaly filly, sister to 1m2f-1m4f winner Mae Cigan, half-sister to 1m-1m5f winner Bill Bennett.
Piano Key 20-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 4f out, one pace final 3f, 6th of 16, 8l behind Me Fein (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Aug.
Rasmani 28-1 (8-12) Steadied start, always behind and outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 14l behind Crazy Bear (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Rosandwil (IRE) 80-1 (9-7) Held up mid-divison, weakened over 6f out, tailed off, last of 17, well behind Queen Poline (10-1) at Haydock 2m nhf (4) sft in Nov (N.Hunt).
