close up, chased leader over 3f out, ridden and every chance from 2f out, no extra final furlong
slowly into stride, tailed off
mid-division, ridden 6f out, weakened over 3f out
slowly into stride, soon pushed along, never on terms (lame)
in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace final 3f
in touch, ridden over 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, driven out
led, riddden 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader until over 3f out, ridden and soon weakened
in rear, ridden and some headway 2f out, never dangerous
The first-time blinkers may be enough to spark a revival in fortunes for Crocodile Kiss, who is selected in preference to Swords and Silsong. The last named also sports headgear for the first time in public and has scope to improve for the drop back to a mile. Adam Kirby takes a handy 3lb off her back and she is a definite for the shortlist when the betting market opens in earnest. Swords has held his form well lately and is entitled to plenty of respect at this level. However, his knack of finding at least one more determined in a finish is off-putting and, although an honest type, his supporters know exactly what to expect with where he is concerned. Therefore, it may be worth siding with Crocodile Kiss, whose turf form of a couple of seasons ago would be good enough to suffice in this company. Jamie Osborne has his string firing on all cylinders at present and, with Eddie Ahern also riding out of his skin, everything looks to be in place for a bold effort today.
Alzarma 33-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 19l behind Prince of Gold (9-2) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Dec.
Swords 8-1 (8-11) Behind, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, led 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Young Mick (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn clm (7) pol.
Weet Yer Tern (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 5l behind Shadow Jumper (8-11) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol.
Pearl Island (USA) 5-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, nk behind Justcallmehandsome (8-4) at Southwell 7f mdn clm (7) fbs.
Silsong (USA) 5-1 (8-6) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Young Mick (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn clm (7) pol.
Crocodile Kiss (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Soon outpaced, never a factor, 13th of 14, 22l behind Golden Spectrum (8-6) at Southwell 1m app banded (7) fbs.
Fayrz Please (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden, one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Aegean Dancer (9-0) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Dec.
Insignia (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders until weakened from 3f out, 11th of 13, 22l behind Orpendonna (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol.