slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders after 2f, ridden and weakened 2f out
always going well, tracked leaders, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ran on
held up in rear, ridden halfway, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, never trouble leaders
with leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
always in rear
chased leaders, ridden halfway, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Imperium looked on the way back to his best last time and can land this competitive opener from Mind Alert and Legal Set. The selection had been running reasonably well before that course and distance run behind Doctor Dennis and with Eddie Ahern doing the steering this afternoon a big run can be expected. Mind Alert has joint top-weight following some decent efforts this winter and will not be far away again. Legal Set is the dark horse in the line up. We know the ability is still there and one of these days he is going to pop up at a decent price. In what is a wide open affair Piccolo Prince also has claims on his best form, but Imperium looks to have the best recent form and gets our vote.
Mind Alert 4-1jt-fav (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Monte Major (8-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Soba Jones 10-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden, stayed on same pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Zorn (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Imperium 14-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, headway over 1f out, ran on well, 2nd of 14, nk behind Doctor Dennis (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
Siraj 33-1 (8-12) Raced on outside, always towards rear and never on terms, 10th of 13, 7l behind Fajr (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Piccolo Prince 12-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 6l behind Magic Amour (9-6) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol.
Marshallspark (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 7th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Desert Light (8-7) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol.
Massey 40-1 (8-7) With leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 13, 6l behind Desert Light (8-7) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol.
Straffan (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, carried right when weakening inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Sahara Silk (9-1) at W'hampton 6f fll hcp (6) pol in Jan.