tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out
close up, chased winner 7f out until 3f out
led, headed 9f out, ridden 7f out, weakened 4f out
behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
tracked leader until 9f out, lost touch 8f out
behind, never nearer
reared start and lost all chance
behind, never nearer
slowly into stride, never a factor
close up, led 9f out, clear 2f out, eased final furlong, comfortably
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner 3f out, outpaced 2f out
slowly into stride, behind, kept on to take remote 4th
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out
The most competitive race of the day nevertheless provides DONTPAYTHEFERRYMAN with a good opportunity to follow up his recent win, with Aaman and Spring Breeze just two of a host of dangers. Brian Ellison has his string in good order, this one advertising that claim when winning stylishly last time. The gelding was well backed to land that contest and did so easily, so the combination of a penalty and two furlongs further to travel are not expected to prove a barrier to further success. Aaman ran well when second to a well-handicapped if disappointing rival last time. The colt was keen that day and will need to settle better on his first try here, but the trip won't be a problem if he does and he remains unexposed. A relatively easy winner off 53 back in the summer, this revised rating of 55 looks perfectly fair and connections will rightly be hopeful. Spring Breeze was heavily punted to land a race here two starts ago before finding one too good, with the same scenario repeating itself last time, but he has claims running off the same mark. An improved performer over timber, the feeling is that the faster they go the more likely this one is to win so with a big field going to post it'd be no surprise were he to stay on late and present his challenge. 11-year-old Red Wine won his maiden here but has since reserved his best efforts for Doncaster and his recent efforts haven't suggested a win is imminent, whilst They All Laughed has also been well held behind some admittedly well-treated rivals. Jazrawy was prolific here a couple of seasons back but doesn't look the same horse so is opposable despite a declining mark, as is Arisea who went close last time but that was as bad a maiden as you're likely to see this season and he'll need to do better to score here. Mayta Capac is worth a market check as an exposed newcomer to the surface who hails from a shrewd yard, but on what we've seen so far he's hard to recommend, whilst of those at prices Sparking Montjeu makes most appeal as she's a relatively consistent sort over timber and might translate that back to the level where she remains unexposed. Nothing Is Forever has questions to answer having been pulled up when last seen as does Desert Hawk who has dropped to an attractive mark but may simply have gone at the game. This is unlikely to be easy, but Dontpaytheferryman should go close to doubling up.
Stolen Light (IRE) 100-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, lost place halfway, last of 14, well behind Quitit (8-13) at Catterick 2m hcap (5) gs in Oct '08.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 11-8fav (8-9) Slightly hampered leaving stalls, soon in touch, led over 5f out, clear 3f out, hung left from over 1f out, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) fbs beating Cragganmore Creek (8-10) by 4l, 9 ran.
Jazrawy 9-2 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, went poor 3rd over 2f out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Black Falcon (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f sell stks (6) fbs.
They All Laughed 3-1 (9-3) Reared start and stumbled, slow into stride and rider lost an iron for 1f, in rear wide and headway to go moderate 4th over 3f out, never dangerous, 4th of 11, 16l behind Dart (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec.
Nothing Is Forever (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Led 1f, prominent, led again over 3f out, soon headed, lost action and eased, pulled up well over 1f out, in a race won by Prairie Hawk (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb, 12 ran.
Sparkling Montjeu (IRE) 22-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 7, 10l behind Russian Music (9-13) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Waterloo Corner 20-1 (9-3) In touch, under pressure over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 15, 25l behind Miss Ferney (8-11) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-52 (6) gf in Aug.
Red Wine 11-2 (9-1) Held up and keen, headway over 1f out kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Fine Tolerance (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Arisea (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 8f out, led well over 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 11, nk behind Venture Capitalist (8-12) at Southwell 2m mdn stks (5) fbs.
Aaman (IRE) 15-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, led after 4f, headed inside last, one pace, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Kickahead (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Mayta Capac (USA) 17-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, effort well over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 11l behind Moscow Oznick (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn auc stks (5) pol.
Desert Hawk 50-1 (9-1) Stumbled start, soon rushed up to lead, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 28l behind Ghufa (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Dec.
Bansha (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Behind, stayed on from over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 14, 7l behind Shifting Gold (8-11) at Nottingham 1m 2yo sll (6) hvy in Oct '08.
Spring Breeze 3-1 (9-4) With leader, led after 4f, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Russian Music (9-13) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
