started slowly, towards rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
towards rear, soon pushed along, effort over 2f out, no impression
prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
prominent for 5f
prominent, driven over 2f out, ridden when weakening over 1f out
prominent, outpaced 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, led 3f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
led, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, soon chasing leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, never a factor
held up behind leaders, ridden over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, always behind
In the finale, Latif is selected ahead of Lucius Verrus and Sierra. A gelding operation has improved Latif and he is, arguably, unlucky not to have won his last three races. Having supported him in his last two races we'll keep spinning the wheel until he's beaten. Lucius Verrus has been running well of late and is worth considering on his first try here at today's trip, while Ardea Brave would hold a chance based on the best of his 2004 and 2005 Irish form, but is a little hard to assess at present. Sierra likes it here and has been running well of late, so holds place claims, while the course and distance winner El Palmar is inconsistent but can be given a chance on his best form. With Diction having failed to build on two-year-old promise, Sorbiesharry looking out of sorts and Bundaberg lacking a recent run, we return to the selection, which is Latif.
Latif (USA) 11-8fav (9-9) Slowly away, headway over 1f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs beating Golden Spectrum (8-7) by 1l, 9 ran.
Sorbiesharry (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Held up, headway on inside over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 13, 6l behind Merrymadcap (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Lucius Verrus (USA) 4-1 (8-9) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Set Alight (9-3) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Lord of Dreams (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 13, 10l behind Orpendonna (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Monkstown Road 15-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 7th of 12, 4l behind King of Music (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Drumroll (IRE) 50-1 (9-12) In touch, led over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Al Rayanah (8-2) at Southwell 1m mdn stk (5) fbs.
Tacid 7-2 (8-13) With leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 7th of 14, 12l behind Latif (9-1) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs.
Sierra 8-1 (8-8) Behind, driven well over 2f out, headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Set Alight (9-3) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
