chased leaders, went 2nd halfway, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on
outpaced, headway far side of group 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, ran on
led briefly, chased leader, pushed along and lost 2nd halfway, weakened over 1f out
off the pace in 4th, ridden 2f out, 3rd and one pace over 1f out
went to post early, gave problems loading, slowly into stride, soon recovered to lead near side of group, headed 2f out, soon ridden, hung left over 1f out, soon weakened
NATIONAL ANTHEM won a novices' event here before scoring over track and trip on his handicap debut. He looked to win with plenty to spare last time and the hat-trick beckons for David Brown’s unexposed charge despite facing better opposition. Hareem Queen landed a double at the track at the end of last year and has gone close back here subsequently while Zylan has an impressive strike rate on this surface and won again here last week with previous course winner Airshow well beaten. Samovar could only manage fourth in last year’s renewal and is higher in the weights this time.
Hareem Queen (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) Tracked winner, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Good Effort (9-0) at Newcastle 5f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Zylan (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Tracked leader, pushed along to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Private Matter (8-11) by hd, 4 ran.
Airshow 7-4fav (9-10) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, last of 4, 4 1/4l behind Zylan (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Samovar 4-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind Astro Jakk (9-6) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
National Anthem 11-8fav (9-7) Hampered and carried right start, led after 1f, pressed and pushed along over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 5f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Young Tiger (8-13) by 3/4l, 6 ran.