chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, virtually pulled up over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon well detached and ridden along, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous
chased leaders in 4th, went modest 3rd over 2f out, no chance with front pair
pressed leader, led over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no impression and eased inside final furlong
raced keenly, soon led, headed over 5f out, stayed pressing, led and hung left from over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, ran on well
A competitive end to the card and one that can go to ELUSIVE WARRIOR from Whitbarrow and Moojeh. Alan McCabe has his string in good order and none more so than this one, who has landed back-to-back successes this year. Both efforts have come over course and distance and with useful claimer Declan Cannon helping to offset a penalty, the hat-trick looks firmly on the cards. Whitbarrow was behind our selection when they met last time and whilst a 3lb pull gives the old boy hope, he may struggle to regain the winning thread from stall one. Marco Botti's Moojeh is firmly on the upgrade and less exposed than those mentioned, but the surface is an unknown so the percentage call is to watch her this time and similar sentiments apply to Striker Torres who has often looked a bit better than a 66-rated sort and could improve yet. Miss Bootylishes steps down in trip having gamely landed a race over a mile last time and whilst that may suit, this higher mark demands more. Sacrilege has an absence to overcome and with Ocean Transit looking impossibly handicapped off top-weight here, we'll return to the in-form Elusive Warrior to strike once more.
Ocean Transit (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Raced alone stand's side until ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 20, 8l behind Jordaura (8-11) at Doncaster 7f app hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Nov.
Sacrilege 7-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 10l behind Ogre (7-13) at Pontefract 1m 3yo clm (4) gd in Oct '08.
Moojeh (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec beating Monsieur Fillioux (9-3) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 9-1 (9-2) Made all, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Southwell 7f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs beating Whitbarrow (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Striker Torres (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Made all, ridden over 1f out, hung left well inside final furlong, held on, won at Wolverhampton 7f Handicap (0-68) (3yo+) (6) pol in Dec beating Another Try (9-2) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Whitbarrow (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Tracked winner, effort from over 2f out, soon one pace, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Elusive Warrior (9-2) at Southwell 7f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Miss Bootylishes 13-2 (8-9) With leaders, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, held on near finish, won at Southwell 1m clm stks (6) fbs beating Clear Sailing (8-11) by hd, 9 ran.
