made all, quickened 2 lengths ahead 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely under pressure inside final furlong
chased leading pair, outpaced over 2f out, ridden on inside well over 1f out, no impression when lost 3rd inside final furlong
chased winner, ridden 3f out, outpaced 2f out, rallied and stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
steadied after start, took keen hold in 4th, ridden 3f out, weakened soon after
steadied start, held up last, outpaced inside final 3f, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, no impression on leading duo
Nonrunner
After a somewhat inauspicious start when well beaten in a bumper at Southwell, NEEDWOOD RIDGE popped up at a massive price in a maiden over C&D. He proved that was no fluke with a respectable third to course specialist John Potts last time and can take this on only his fourth start. African Cheetah returns from injury but has the past form to figure, while Eastern Gift landed a double when successful at Kempton last week and is another to consider. Mr Emirati is proving disappointing and steps back up in trip today.
African Cheetah 11-2 (9-3) In rear, lost action and pulled up 7f out, in a race won by Chosen Forever (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Feb '10, 7 ran.
Eastern Gift 13-2 (8-11) Mid-division, switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to challenge inside final furlong, led close home, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar beating Sunshine Always (8-11) by hd, 13 ran.
Needwood Ridge 11-2 (9-5) In rear, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden and kept on, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind John Potts (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Mr Emirati (USA) 9-1 (8-11) Steadied start, keen in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Rio Cobolo (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Petomic (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, some headway on inside over 1f out, no impression, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 11, 8l behind Addikt (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Istiqdaam 9-2 (9-4) Ridden along to soon lead, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 46l behind John Potts (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.