in touch, led after 2f, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
started slowly and behind, ridden along halfway, never troubled leaders
held up, switched left and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner
took keen hold to lead, headed after 2f, remained in touch, headway over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, held on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, driven to challenge and every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
Haroldini has an enviable strike-rate at the track and rarely runs a bad race here however a further 6lb rise in the weights for his recent win means that he will need to produce a career-best effort here and so narrow preference is for the progressive Silver Hotspur. The most interesting horse in this race is undoubtedly Elusive Dreams, who cost $750,000 as a yearling but was snapped up by current connections for 28,000 guineas in October at the sales. He may well need the run on his first outing for Derek Shaw, and has presumably had training problems, but his well-related gelding is certainly one to watch in the betting and in the future. However Silver Hotspur could prove to be the one for today. Michael Wigham's progressive course and distance winner seems to have really got his act together of late and must be interesting despite a penalty. Kensington is consistent but doesn't win as often as he should, whilst Music Note needs to step up on recent runs. Haroldini looks to be the main danger, however Silver Hotspur is fancied to win again.
Music Note (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Hung right, led, ridden 2f out, soon headed, weakened, 7th of 8, 5l behind Bee Stinger (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Elusive Dreams (USA) 16-1 (8-6) In touch far side, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 16th of 18, 33l behind Bankable (8-11) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs in Sept.
Silver Hotspur 10-3 (8-11) Always going well, led entering final furlong, easily, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs beating Sophia Gardens (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Kensington (IRE) 10-3jt-fav (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3f out, hard ridden and all out when headed close home, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Golden Prospect (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Dancing Duo 16-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Anduril (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Haroldini (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan beating Faithful Ruler (9-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
