tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakening when blundered last
held up and raced wide, took closer order 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on from last
tracked leaders, chased winner approaching last, kept on, no impression
led, ridden and headed when hit 2 out, soon outpaced
held up, tracked leaders 3 out, outpaced from 2 out
with leader, weakened 2 out
held up, headway 4th, led 2 out, stayed on well from last
Smoothly Does It gets the confident vote here with John Forbes and Elway Prospect rating the main dangers. The selection won well over course and distance last time out when beating Speed Venture and although having a penalty for that win he still looks ahead of the handicaper and under conditions that suit he is taken to win again. John Forbes rates the main danger on his latest second behind Tomenoso but he is rising in the weights for been beaten and he looks opposable on that basis. Elway Prospect had looked progressive until disappointing last time but this looks easier and he should be watched in the market. The Hairy Lemon is from a yard in form but may just need the run after a 260 day absence. Of the remainder Circasian looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we return to the progressive Smoothly Does It.
Circassian (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, driven and effort 2 out, no extra approaching last, 5th of 9, 18l behind Tomenoso (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Ellway Prospect 12-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, soon lost place, well behind 3 out, 8th of 17, 22l behind Overstrand (10-5) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy in Dec.
The Hairy Lemon 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden to chase 5th, no impression, 6th of 9, 14l behind Marrel (10-1) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
John Forbes 10-3fav (10-4) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd after last, no impression, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Tomenoso (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Flaming Weapon 8-1 (11-1) Mid-division weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sunisa (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Quasimodo (GB) 66-1 (10-13) In touch, weakened 5th, lost touch 3 out, 7th of 10, well behind Amour Multiple (11-12) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Smoothly Does It 5-2jt-fav (10-0) Held up in rear, headway 5th, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec beating Speed Venture (10-5) by 10l, 8 ran.
The Local 14-1 (11-5) Led, headed briefly and driven 4th, ridden 3 out, headed next and weakened last, 5th of 10, 22l behind Amour Multiple (11-12) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
