tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear and in touch, weakened over 2f out, tailed off
made all, clear over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well
in rear, headway 2f out, chased winner 1f out, no impression
Haraka and Dream Team scored over track and trip last month but both are upped a couple of grades off higher marks today. Mia Cara scored over 7f at Wolverhampton and is also raised in class along with Upgrade, who has yet to win anywhere. But WHATSTHEMESSAGE faces an easier task today having contested higher grade handicaps so far. Her ability to handle the surface has to be taken on trust but her yard has a good strike rate at this venue and she’s expected to have come on for a recent outing at Newcastle.
Whatsthemessage (IRE) 22-1 (8-7) Tracked leader until ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 12 3/4l behind Letmestopyouthere (9-0) at Newcastle 7f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Dream Team 6-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, led when came out of the fog inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 1m (6) pol in Dec beating Warm Words (9-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Upgrade 9-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon faded, 4th of 7, 8l behind Speedo Boy (8-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Haraka (IRE) 13-2 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, redily, won at Southwell 1m (6) pol in Dec beating Daily Trader (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mia Cara 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Sentinel (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.