tracked leaders, led over 4f out, ridden, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
behind, never dangerous
in touch, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
driven to lead after 1f, headed over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, driven, headway when edged left over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
In the second division of the mile handicap, Woodwee is favoured, with Marachi Band possibly proving to be next best, but there are some potential dark horses among the others, including Hi Dancer. There is not too much to go on here with many of these, but Woodwee has at least justified his current rating and, stepping up in trip today - something that should be ok with on breeding, although he'll help his cause by settling better than he did last time - he might well find a little improvement. Marachi Band has certainly shown something at home, having been sent off as favourite last time. Much as he was a little disappointing on that occasion, first-time blinkers might help the cause today. There are one or two unexposed types that might improve here, including Chicherova, who could appreciate the step up in trip on her all-weather debut, the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Spasiba, who could improve for blinkers - but would need to - and Bekoning, who could improve on his all-weather debut, and there are plenty of winners in his family. Finally, for us, Hi Dancer is at the lower end of ratings the grader could have given him and, having made some late headway at this trip last time on Turf, it would be no surprise to see him go well, and Guideline, who steps up from five furlongs today, is not a forlorn hope either. Overall, though, we will side with Woodwee.
Woodwee 10-3 (9-4) Held up, outpaced over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Crush On You (8-7) at Southwell 7f 3yo sll (6) fbs.
Marachi Band (USA) 4-1fav (8-9) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 7l behind Bentong (9-0) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Show Thyme 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 13l behind Flylowflylong (9-2) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Guideline 20-1 (7-13) Slowly away and behind stand side group, never dangerous, 15th of 17, 21l behind Lipizza (9-4) at Nottingham 5f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Nov.
Bekoning (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Never nearer than mid-division, 7th of 13, 7l behind Fun Time (8-9) at Lingfield 7f mdn auc (7) pol in Nov.
Caan 33-1 (8-11) Always in rear, outpaced from 3f out, 11th of 12, 18l behind Casablanca Minx (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (6) pol.
Chicherova (IRE) 40-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 10l behind Startori (8-5) at Musselburgh 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Sept.
Spasiba 16-1 (8-10) Outpaced towards rear, 10th of 14, 19l behind Rainbows Guest (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Nov.
Hi Dancer 40-1 (8-4) Slow into stride, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 7l behind Spunger (8-8) at Musselburgh 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (4) gd in Sept.
Sahara Secret (IRE) 66-1 (8-1) Always behind, 7th of 11, 18l behind Casablanca Minx (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo clm (6) pol.
