dwelt, held up, headway when not clear run over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
always prominent, led over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
always prominent, ridden over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on
in rear but in touch, ridden over 3f out, never able to challenge
dwelt, soon close up, ridden well over 1f out, weakened 1f out
with leaders, every chance well over 1f out, hung left and weakened inside final furlong
led over 2f, weakening when not much room over 1f out
held up, headway final furlong, never nearer
in rear, driven halfway, never dangerous
Nonrunner
El Potro gets the vote here ahead of Byo and Cashel Mead. El Potro is on a roll, having won his last two, including in a course and distance maiden two runs ago. He could yet remain well handicapped based on the manner of his Wolverhampton handicap win last time and he can go well again today. Byo comes here in good heart, his recent good efforts including a course and distance run, and he remains reasonably weighted. Little Ridge is now three pounds below the mark from which he won over course and distance last January but will need to put some modest recents efforts behind him to play a part today. The relatively lightly-raced Efistorm has shown enough here of late to be respected, while Gone'N'Dunnett might be better at six furlongs, much as he is fairly weighted. Vague Star is well weighted based on his best Turf form, but his all-weather runs have not matched it, while Cashel Mead holds claims if at his best, and usually runs well on this surface. Watch the betting regarding the lightly-raced Muara and, finally, also watch the betting regarding Mijas raider Nepron, while Orchestration can be given some thought but, for the selection, we return to El Potro.
Little Ridge (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, hampered start, always in rear, 11th of 12, 16l behind The Lord (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Efistorm 16-1 (8-7) Prominent, led over 3f out, ridden when headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 10l behind Graze On (9-2) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Sahara Silk (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Outpaced 4f out, headway final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Missperon (8-1) at Southwell 6f fll hcp (5) fbs.
El Potro 9-2 (9-2) Chased leader, ridden along over 1f out, hard ridden and headway on inside to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Almaty Express (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Cashel Mead 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, weakening when bumped over 1f out, last of 12, 12l behind Canadian Danehill (9-3) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Muara 7-2 (8-8) Led far side, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Seafield Towers (8-13) at Ayr 5f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Byo (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Led early, ridden over 2f out, led just over 1f out, headed last strides, 2nd of 13, shd behind Henry Tun (9-2) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Orchestration (IRE) 3-1fav (8-13) Slowly into stride, outpaced, headway over 1f out, kept on, one pace, 4th of 8, 3l behind Christian Bendix (8-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) std.
