in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
hampered start, raced wide, mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
went left start, mid-division, ridden, outpaced halfway, hung left 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
squeezed out start, always in rear
went left start, soon in touch, chased winner over 1f out, soon ridden, no impression
hampered start, always in rear
prominent, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on gamely
hampered start, behind, headway 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, outpaced halfway, ridden, stayed on final furlong
A batch of out-of-form sorts and with punting a minefield we make a tentative recommendation about Boisdale with Straffan and Mister Aziz acknowledged as dangers. Boisdale is plenty exposed but does at least know how to find the winners enclosure. A winner of five from 28 starts on the all-weather, he has the benefit of Donna Caldwell taking off 7lb today. Straffan is the epitome of an in-and-out performer. He won a similar race at the track in February and if he can overcome his poor draw, he has to have chances in this affair. Mister Aziz is another with claims although his draw is even worse than that of Straffan. Of those drawn low, Ardkeel Lass is interesting. She is perhaps better known over five furlongs these days but her rare forays over six have shown glimpses of ability and she is well drawn this afternoon. Paul Hanagan has a good strike rate when teaming up with Micky Hammond so George The Best is monitored in the market. The gelding showed little on a return to the racecourse but that followed an absence and it is worth noting that he was being campaigned off marks in the middle 70's a couple of years ago. The market should offer most clues on the day and in the absence of that vital information, we will offer Boisdale up at minimum stakes.
Boisdale (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 8, 8l behind Christian Bendix (8-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Jennverse 10-1 (8-10) Held up mid division, ridden halfway, no impression, 8th of 12, 6l behind Riquewihr (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Ardkeel Lass (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Prominent, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 22l behind Sweet Pickle (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Ariesanne (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders over 5f, 9th of 13, 9l behind Mount Royale (9-3) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs.
Straffan (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 13l behind Sweet Pickle (8-10) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
George The Best (IRE) 40-1 (8-8) Behind, never a factor, 10th of 14, 12l behind Sweet Pickle (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Mister Aziz (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) In touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Wilford Maverick (9-0) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs.
Sundried Tomato 12-1 (9-0) With leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 6l behind Wilford Maverick (9-0) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs.
