chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, stayed on strongly closing stages, nearest finish
tracked leader, led entering final furlong, edged right, ran on well
led, headed entering final furlong, no extra
dwelt, outpaced in rear, never dangerous
slowly into stride, driven forward to join leader, under pressure over 1f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong
SILKEN EXPRESS has been much improved on the Fibresand at Southwell recently. Robert Cowell's charge beat Even Stevens in a higher grade sprint than this over 5f last time and can confirm running with Jiroft if translating that form back to the Polytrack. Swiss Cross is capable at this level but hasn't raced since May and will be sharper for the outing. My Son Max is back on a winning mark but Fat Gary has finished ahead of both the latter and Muhdiq in recent outings over 6f here.
Silken Express (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Always prominent, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Southwell 5f hcap (2) fbs in Jan beating Even Stevens (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Swiss Cross 25-1 (8-7) Tracked winner, ridden 2f out, keeping on one pace when carried left inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 6l behind Hamza (9-4) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gf in May.
Jiroft (ITY) 10-1 (8-13) Dwelt, chased leaders, lost place well over 1f out, 10th of 11, 17l behind Silken Express (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcap (2) fbs in Jan.
My Son Max 8-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd final 125 yards, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Tax Free (9-5) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Fat Gary 7-1 (9-6) Ridden and soon prominent, driven over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 4l behind Discussiontofollow (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Muhdiq (USA) 7-2 (9-2) Took keen hold chasing leaders, ridden well over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Lexi's Hero (8-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.