slowly into stride, behind, soon outpaced, no impression from well over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, outpaced over 3f out, soon ridden, no impression from well over 1f out
towards rear, soon outpaced, headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, one pace
tracked leader, led over 2f out, kept on well
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, one pace
pushed along towards rear, never dangerous
pushed along in touch, reminders early, soon outpaced
Withdrawn
Fire Up The Band has been in great form of late and we see no reason to oppose him today; the list of dangers is headed by Desert Dreamer and Lethal. The selection was beaten in a handicap on the turf last time but that was a competitive affair and he was not disgraced. He returns to claiming grade here and he should prove tough to beat. Desert Dreamer also disappointed in a handicap last time but he is also another who is a major player in this grade and he is sure to be thereabouts at the finish. Lethal has been knocking on the door on his last 2 starts and he remains well-treated on his form of last year. He can also go well, along with Dickie Le Davoir who is a course and distance winner with proven form in this grade. This is a trappy contest and the vote is given to Fire Up The Band.
Dickie Le Davoir 8-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, hampered start, held up mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, kept on approaching final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Bonnie Prince Blue (8-10) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Fire Up The Band 4-1jt-fav (8-10) Hampered at start and soon chased along, headway after 2f, driven over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 10, 10l behind Luscivious (8-4) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs.
Lethal 9-4 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Diriculous (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Desert Dreamer (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 11th of 13, 6l behind King of Dixie (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Hamaasy 25-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner halfway, weakened quickly approaching final furlong, last of 11, 12l behind Hammer of The Gods (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Kingsmaite 11-4fav (8-9) With leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Rubilini (9-0) at Southwell 1m app stk (7) fbs in Jan.
Mary Dunsmore 100-1 (9-8) Tracked leader 2f, remained close up, ridden when hampered approaching 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 24l behind Sir Billy Nick (8-12) at Lingfield 1m mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Oren Ishi (IRE) 100-1 (7-8) Prominent, ridden and weakened before straight, 13th of 14, 22l behind Finicius (9-12) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec.
Kenmore 10-1 (8-10) Dwelt, always towards rear, 13th of 16, 21l behind Stevie Gee (9-1) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.