early reminders, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, no impression
made all, ridden 3f out, stayed on strongly
keen tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked winner, came wide into straight over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, keen in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
Striker Torres and Mr Emirati can figure if at their best but both have been disappointing favourites recently and it's hard to know what to expect from them. Army Of Stars has gone off the boil of late, but Zarius scored over C&D last time and may not have finished improving yet. However, preference is for ELUSIVE FAME whose third to the useful Trans Sonic here last week looks the best form on offer. Mark Johnston's charge is taken to make the most of today's drop in class today.
Elusive Fame (USA) 7-2fav (8-4) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Trans Sonic (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Rio Cobolo (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 40l behind Scrapper Smith (8-9) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Sep.
Striker Torres (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on until no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Avonrose (8-9) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Army of Stars (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 9, 9l behind Ivory Silk (9-13) at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Mr Emirati (USA) 8-1 (9-5) Raced wide, prominent, tracked leader 5f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 10, 13l behind West Leake (8-11) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Zarius 5-1 (9-0) Dwelt soon chased leaders, chased leader and every chance from 2f out, led 1f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb beating Convince (8-9) by 1l, 13 ran.