raced wide, in touch, ridden halfway, effort over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd post
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
with leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 3f out, soon headed, hung right and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
with leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on
This has the makings of a cracking contest and our pick to land it is NIGHTJAR, who can fend off the likely challenges of Tourist and Imprimis Tagula to score. Kevin Ryan's horse loves it here and won a similar contest in March of 2009. That victory came off a mark of 92 so today's mark doesn't look an impossible one and whilst his last couple of runs haven't been quite up to scratch, we're of the opinion that six furlongs here is exactly what he wants and will select him to advertise that point. Tourist won a similarly competitive affair last time out and must have claims off 3lbs higher. Derek Shaw's yard are firing on all cylinders in the face of adversity and there seems no reason to think this gelding won't continue his recent solid form, particularly as his fourth here on his only visit promised better. Imprimis Tagula has improved beyond recognition of late and might just be at his best here, so despite a career high rating and a disappointing last run he'll attract some market support and rightly so, although we feel off this lofty mark a place might be his best hope. Ingleby Arch has obvious prospects of beating our selection on their past meetings but we feel our pick might be better served by today's conditions, whilst Aeroplane is a talented but frustrating sort who continues to find one or two too good, whatever the grade. Harlech Castle won a weaker contest last time but arrives in top form and could outrun his price. He's preferred to Flowing Cape of those at bigger prices owing to the fact the last-named hasn't showed his best form here. Bel Cantor races from out of the handicap and looks easily opposable, as do Luscivious and Smokey Ryder who have both been out of sorts lately. This is the best race on the card and should provide a cracking finish, from which we hope Nightjar emerges victorious.
Aeroplane 7-2 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, effort inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Autumn Blades (8-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Imprimis Tagula (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Led, ridden well over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 3l behind Elna Bright (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Nightjar (USA) 7-2 (9-4) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Reve De Nuit (8-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Ingleby Arch (USA) 7-2 (8-11) Close up, ridden halfway, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Imprimis Tagula (7-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Dec.
Flowing Cape (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Pressing leader over 3f out, led well over 1f out, edged left well inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Tourist (8-8) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Smokey Ryder 50-1 (8-10) Close up, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 10, 15l behind Imprimis Tagula (8-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Luscivious 10-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace final 2f, 7th of 12, 7l behind Invincible Lad (8-12) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-90 (3) fbs in Sep.
Tourist 14-1 (8-8) (all comments restricted due to poor visibility), held up over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Flowing Cape (8-11) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Bel Cantor 12-1 (8-11) Tracked winner, hard driven 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Billy Red (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Harlech Castle 5-2 (9-3) Pressed leader, led over 3f out, ridden and pressed 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs beating Onceaponatime (8-4) by nk, 7 ran.
