in touch, went 3rd 4f out, ridden to chase leader over 3f out until 3f out, plugged on one pace
led, headed over 7f out, chased leader until over 3f out, soon weakened
in rear, switched outside 6f out, ridden over 3f out, never a factor
tracked leaders, chased leader 3f out, ridden 2f out, challenged from over 1f out, wore down leader to lead well inside final furlong
always in rear, ridden and weakened 4f out
Just half-a-dozen runners turn up for this handicap which should go the way of BIVOUAC with Group Leader looking the main danger while any market support for Zabeel Prince would be very interesting. Up nine pounds for a facile success over course and distance on his last flat start the pick should be capable of defying that if up to the same standard. He wasn't that clever over hurdles the last time we saw him but this shouldn't take much winning and we'll judge him on that flat success. Group Leader was expected to do better on his last run but ultimately found the one too good. He is yet to experience this surface but if taking to it he looks well-weighted now five pounds lighter. Zabeel Prince hasn't been seen in this medium since September 2007 but has been winning over timber in the mean time. He's from a yard that likes a tilt at the ring and he is off a light looking rating now returning to life on the level. Daaweitza is a course and distance winner who should go better than on his last two runs on turf but in another tricky puzzle Bivouac looks the one.
Daaweitza 33-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 15, 12l behind Harrison George (9-4) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Mustajed 10-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, no impression over 2f out, 8th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Colonel Sherman (8-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Zabeel Palace 18-1 (9-9) Held up, effort 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 18l behind Kingscape (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcap (4) gs in Sep '07.
Onemoreandstay 14-1 (10-4) In touch, ridden and one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 17, 11l behind Blue Spinnaker (10-2) at Doncaster 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gs in Mar.
Bivouac (UAE) 8-1 (9-0) In touch, went 2nd travelling well over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb beating Jackie Kiely (9-3) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Group Leader (IRE) 4-1fav (9-4) Mid-division, hard driven over 4f out, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Khun John (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
