chased leaders, driven 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden along halfway, driven over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
with leaders to halfway
held up in rear, effort over 2f out, never reached challenging position
towards rear, pushed along and headway on outer halfway, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace
made all, shaken up 2f out and soon clear, pushed out final furlong
in touch, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f out
Another competitive heat and Realt Na Mara is the pick to land this over Hits Only Jude and Xpres Maite. Realt Na Mara falied to land the hat-trick last time when worn down in the closing stages. Stamina was the concern before that outing and those concerns became real as he folded tamely. Those outings were in quick succession and following a break and back a furlong today he can go very close. Hits Only Jude was an expensive failure last time when no appearent excuses could be gained. An easy winner of two outings previously, the fact he was so comprehensivly beaten last time would suggest he is in the handicapper's grip. He drops back a furlong here but in a higher grade of race he is vulnerable. Xpres Maite bids for the hat-trick here following two wins at Wolverhampton. While he is progressing he appears held by the selection based on their clash over course and distance in January. Coleortan Dancer is worth a check in the market but Realt Na Mara can hit the mark again here.
Realt Na Mara (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Chased leaders, led 2f out, edged right over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Neardown Beauty (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
Coleorton Dancer 85-40fav (9-4) Led for 1f, led again over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened and eased, last of 6, 10l behind Distant Sun (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Xpres Maite 7-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating Bel Cantor (8-6) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Bertie Southstreet 7-1 (8-6) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no etxra towards finish, 4th of 8, 2l behind Highland Harvest (8-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Kelamon 12-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 4l behind Savile's Delight (8-6) at Southwell 5f hcap (5) fbs.
Hits Only Jude (IRE) 1-3fav (9-13) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 2f out, kept on, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Mineral Rights (9-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Supreme Speedster 25-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3l behind Grand Palace (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
Memphis Man 9-2 (8-13) Keen, held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Silver Hotspur (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) std.
