led, ridden, headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong to regain lead close home
held up behind leaders, ridden along, lost place over 4f out, soon behind
prominent, ridden along over 3f out, led over 1f out, edged left, kept on final furlong, headed close home
prominent, ridden over 3f out, had every chance over 1f out, squeezed for room inside final furlong, kept on same pace
mid-division, reminders over 5f out, soon beaten
in touch, effort over 4f out, soon beaten
towards rear, reminders halfway, driven 3f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, held up in rear, headway 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
In what is likely to be a true test of stamina we go for EL DIEGO to land a three timer with Dart to erratic to trust while Take Me There could get in on the prize money. Jim Gask's runner has started 2009 with back to back victories with the latest coming on the Polytrack at Wolverhampton. The formline from that race has worked out well with the third going on to score and with course form on his side the four pound rise in his mark is unlikely to stop him. Dart has been frustrating to follow squandering a few decent opportunities to score. He does have a good record here and is reunited with Jamie Spencer who has partnered him to his only two career wins - his mark still might be favouring the handicapper though. Take Me There finished second behind a horse that El Diego beat recently so seems to have some form to overturn but you wouldn't rule him out while Calculating looks to be good at a bigger price for each-way backers but to win it we like the look of El Diego.
Aureate 10-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Cape Express (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 11-1 (9-2) Mid-division, chased leaders over 4f out, one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 8l behind River Ardeche (8-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
El Diego (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Always prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Long Distance (9-1) by a nk, 11 ran.
Take Me There 11-4 (8-11) Chased leader, ridden over 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind River Ardeche (8-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Victory Quest (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, led halfway, headed 4 out one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 4l behind My Friend Fritz (9-8) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
My Friend Fritz 7-4jt-fav (9-11) In touch, ridden over 3f, driven to challenge and every chance over 1f, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Benedict Spirit (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (5) fbs.
Dart 9-4fav (9-9) Held up, headway to chase winner over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind My Friend Fritz (9-8) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Calculating (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Steadied start, ridden and hanging right over 2f out, switched right, good headway on inside over 1f out, finished well inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 8, 4l behind Greenwich Village (9-13) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Ibrox (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stk (5) fbs beating If You Knew Suzy (8-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
