tracked winner to over 2f out
keen, wide, close up, ridden to chase winner over 2f out until over 1f out
keen, held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, effort 2f out, weakened 1f out
This appears a particularly weak maiden and one that should provide GHAZWAH with a straightforward opportunity ahead of Bandstand. Richard Fahey's well-bred filly had become disappointing in the care of John Gosden, but her four efforts still merited a rating of 72 and that sets a standard that is unlikely to be bettered by today's rivals. She hasn't raced on this surface before but it isn't expected to be a problem and whilst a three-month absence would usually be of some concern her relative class should see her through. The market will provide more clues as to her well-being but in the anticipation that she's a strong favourite we expect a winning performance. Bandstand stands out as the biggest danger to our selection having taken second on his debut. That course and distance effort was a pleasing introduction and with no fitness or surface doubts Brian Smart's animal will be there to expose any such problems with our selection. However, on the face of it the four-year-old needs to improve and whilst that's likely we still don't expect it to be enough. Apache Moon showed little here on debut so whilst his last time third was a step forward, we still have doubts about the surface and he looks modest regardless. In such a poor heat newcomer Fine And Dandie is worth a market check for his good yard, and he's preferred to Turning Circle of the remainder. The last-named didn't show much on debut but should be capable of improvement, as might Isle Of Ellis although the last mentioned hasn't seen a racecourse since the spring of 2009. There are only two who can be seriously fancied here and of them Ghazwah should prove best.
Apache Moon 80-1 (9-13) Chased winner until well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Best Trip (8-11) at Kempton 6f mdn stks (5) pol.
Bandstand 13-2 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Poet's Place (9-3) at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.
Cruise Control 50-1 (9-3) Behind, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 29l behind Tiddliwinks (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Sep.
Turning Circle 33-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, lost place 2f out, 9th of 13, 8l behind Heathyards Junior (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Fine And Dandie (IRE) Bertolini gelding out of Jazz Baby.
Isle of Ellis (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Soon ridden along, beaten halfway, last of 7, 13l behind Shark Man (8-6) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Apr.
Ghazwah 8-1 (8-12) Raced far side, led that group and overall leader until over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 16, 5l behind Asraab (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
