close up, ridden 4f out, headway on outer approaching 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on
raced wide in touch in rear, headway 7f out, chased leader over 3f out until ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
keen tracked leaders, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, stayed on
with leader until ridden over 4f out, outpaced over 3f out, tailed off
led, pushed along and headed over 4f out, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f
Alborz has been winning over hurdles and went close at Wolverhampton last time but his yard's poor record at this course doesn't boost confidence. Honest Deal was beaten only a short-head here last season and could figure but it could pay to concentrate on the proven Fibresand winners. Mediterranean Sea is one of those with four victories at the track to his name but he has yet to win off a mark as high as today and the tentative vote goes to ADMIRABLE DUQUE. He landed a double here at this time last year and has slipped 12lb down the weights since. He looks set to take advantage in this.
Mediterranean Sea (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Always in rear, 10th of 12, 19l behind Hepworth (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f fll hcp (0-75) (5) pol in Jan.
Admirable Duque (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway and in touch halfway, chased leader over 4f out to over 3f out, ridden and no impression in 4th final 2f, 4th of 6, 12l behind English Summer (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Honest Deal 6-1 (9-5) Led, driven and headed 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Cool Sky (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Alborz (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge on inside over 3f out, soon short of room, switched right and effort well over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Rapid Heat Lad (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Masterful Act (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Held up, headway on outer over 3f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov '10 beating Money Money Money (9-6) by 9l, 11 ran.
Blizzard Blues (USA) 66-1 (8-4) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Flying Power (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.