close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in rear, effort when short of room over 1f out, never dangerous
keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
headway to track winner over 5f out until 2f out
slowly in to stride, towards rear, never a factor
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd near finish
tracked winner until over 5f out, chased winner again 2f out, kept on one pace
held up, ridden and headway entering final 2f, soon went 3rd untill near finish
wide, in touch, ridden 3f out weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, kept on final furlong, never nearer
A decent handicap where CARMENERO is preferred to Straight Face, Kensington and Kersivay. The Conor Dore-trained selection was just pipped from a 4lb lower mark over course and distance last time, having won here prior to that. A thoroughly consistent performer, his yard is in form and he may just be able to cope with the rise and go in again. Straight Face is also in cracking form, and he is another up 4lbs after being just held over this trip at Lingfield last time. He acts well at Dunstall Park and looks a leading player once again. You have to look back to December 2008 for Kensington's most recent win, which came here over course and distance from a mark of 63. He is 6lbs higher here today, though his pilot's claim helps to negate that, and he is much respected. Kersivay acts well here but may just need a mit more than a 1lb drop to record his first Polytrack win, while Forward Feline is worth a market check now dropped back to this trip, after failing to stay 1m 1f last time. Carmenero gets the vote.
Carmenero (GER) 2-1fav (9-10) Held up in mid-division, came wide into straight, good headway over 1f out, chased winner and strong run inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 11, ns behind Headache (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Kersivay 13-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Onceaponatime (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
Kensington (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Ocean Legend (8-13) at Kempton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Whisky Jack 28-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, soon in mid-division racing keenly, effort 3f out, hard ridden and looking uncooperative over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 19l behind Gassin (8-10) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Just Timmy Marcus 13-2 (8-13) Towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Ocean Legend (8-13) at Kempton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Forward Feline (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, 7th of 8, 6l behind Bawaardi (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Seldom (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Kipchak (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Grand Honour (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, headway on outside inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 8, 3/4l behind Billberry (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Straight Face (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, always just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Headache (9-6) at Lingfield 7f app hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Just Jimmy (IRE) 13-2 (8-6) Ran wide, held up, ridden over 2f out, hampered and short of room 1f out, 6th of 8, 8l behind Networker (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (5) pol in Jan.
Smalljohn 11-2 (8-9) Led, ridden 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Divine Force (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f app hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Pride of Nation (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Slightly hampered start, led over 7f out, headed just over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 5, 9l behind Heathyards Junior (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Jan.
