promient until weakened over 4f out
in touch, ridden to lead well over 2f out, driven out
held up in touch, lost place 4f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway 4f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, headway 2f out, no impression final furlong
led after 1f, ridden 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
led for 1f, chased leader, led over 3f out until well over 2f out, soon no extra
dwelt, held up towards rear, headway 4f out, switched left well over 1f out, soon hung left, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
mid-division, lost place over 5f out, no real danger after
held up in touch, lost place 8f out, no danger after
held up, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on nearest finish
held up, headway 6f out, ridden 3f out, no impression on leaders approaching final furlong
Darn Good can overcome an absence to prevail over the likes of Spectested, Precious Mystery and Blue Hills. This is yet another event in which the horse with the best form has an absence to overcome, but in the belief that Richard Hannon will have him near enough ready, Darn Good is the selection. A winner twice here last summer, including over over the course and distance, he seems a resolute sort without exactly being a world-beater, but then neither are any of his opponents today. He is still on a fair mark for his reappearance, and his knowledge of the track will be a plus factor. Spectested and Precious Mystery were second and third respectively behind Jidiya at Wolverhampton three weeks ago, and the former, who is a bit of a slow starter, should again come out on top at the weights. Blue Hills has been placed plenty of times over middle-distances on the all-weather, but was tailed off when tried over two miles in January. This slightly shorter trip may help, but he does not make as much appeal as Eastborough who does stay and who has won here in the past. However, we feel that overall, Darn Good has the best claims, providing his fitness holds out.
Bobsleigh 7-1 Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 5th of 12, 16l behind King Flyer at Southwell 2m hcp (E3) fbs in Jan.
Precious Mystery (IRE) 3-1 Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Jidiya at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (E3) pol.
Arinos (GER) 7-1 Always in rear, last of 12, 41l behind Pass The Port at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (E3) fbs.
Darn Good 5-2fav Raced in 5th, driven 4f out, one pace and no impression final 2f, 4th of 9, 7l behind Masterman Ready at Goodwood 2m hcp (E3) gd in Sept.
Eastborough (IRE) 16-1 Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Serbelloni at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp (D2) pol.
My Legal Eagle (IRE) 7-2 Held up rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 15l behind Reggae Rhythm at W'hampton 2m 1f stk (H5) pol.
Squirtle Turtle 33-1 In touch, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 13l behind Sonoma at Nottingham 2m stk (F) gf in Jun.
Spectested (IRE) 9-4fav Started slowly, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Jidiya at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (E3) pol.
