close up, ridden over 3f out weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, kept on
held up mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, behind from halfway
ridden to lead, ridden over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
patiently ridden in rear, smooth headway on outer from 3f out, shaken up to lead well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, headway 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
in rear, ridden halfway, some headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent over 4f
slowly into stride, in rear, soon pushed along, kept on under pressure final 2f, never near leaders
in rear, reminders halfway, driven 3f out, kept on under pressure final 2f
chased leader until over 2f out
Musical Gift is only a tentative choice over recent winners Golden Spectrum and Nisr, while Mad Maurice is one to watch closely in the betting market. The last named is lightly raced and is reunited with Jamie Spencer for his first start of 2006. The son of Grand Lodge fits a typical profile for trainer Barney Curley's meticulous planning and it is unlikely that any fancy prices will stay on the bookmakers boards for long if expectations are high. Nisr is entitled to respect after his victory at Wolverhampton just over a week ago. That effort came on the back of a series of good performances and he holds solid place claims again this afternoon. The same has to be said of Golden Spectrum, who granted William Carson his first ever winner in the saddle. That came in a lads race though, and, as this is a much tougher assignment, he needs everything to go right for him to fire again. Therefore, it may be worth chancing Musical Gift, who has a fair record in sellers and claimers. The return to a mile is very much in his favour on this surface and, as he is likely to be available at more attractive odds than his main rivals, he just gets the vote in a tricky race to call.
Musical Gift 10-3fav (9-0) Towards rear, driven halfway, some late headway, never near to challenge, 5th of 14, 10l behind Owed (9-1) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Nisr 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead last strides, won at W'hampton 1m 1f app banded (7) pol beating Glendale (9-3) by a shd, 13 ran.
Mad Maurice 11-8fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, ridden when not clear run 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Rotuma (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Nov.
Noul (USA) 20-1 (8-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 24l behind Preskani (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Super Dominion 12-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Itcanbedone Again (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol.
It Must Be Speech 14-1 (8-6) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest finish, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Golden Spectrum (8-6) at Southwell 1m app banded (7) fbs.
Semper Paratus (USA) 5-1 (8-12) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Lady Suesanne (8-7) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs.
Golden Spectrum (IRE) 11-2 (8-0) Led after 2f, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Mister Elegant (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
