held up, headway and not clear run over 2f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, ran on
in touch, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up, headway over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, led and edged right over 1f out, driven out
started slowly, behind, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway well over 1f out, kept on, not trouble leaders
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
always behind
in touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
Rose Bien is fancied to edge a verdict over Makarim and old rivals Lake Wakatipu and Ice And Fire in a race that looks set to go right to the wire. Ice And Fire has got his act together since the turn of the year and has solid each-way claims in this company. His resolution in a finish (like most of them) is questionable, though, and it would be a brave move to have a win single on him. Lake Wakatipu has bits and pieces of form that give him fair claims. Indeed he short-headed the selection when they met here last month. However, it will take an improved effort from him to uphold the form on these terms and he needs everything to drop into place for him. Makarim is a reliable old-boy and continues to reward his connections by occasionally pulling something out of the fire. Only he will know if that will happen this afternoon, but it is worth keeping a close eye on the betting market where he is concerned. However, marginal preference goes to Rose Bien, who is far less exposed than the rest and, as this is only her second outing in this grade, she only needs to run to the level of her latest effort to put this lot to the sword.
Lake Wakatipu 16-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead post, won at W'hampton 2m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr beating Rose Bien (9-3) by a shd, 13 ran.
Jadeeron 11-1 (9-13) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 13l behind Reminiscent (10-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Makarim (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Galantos (9-0) at Southwell 1m 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Apr.
Rose Bien 12-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, led final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Lake Wakatipu (9-0) at W'hampton 2m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Hillfield Flyer (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, led over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn clm (7) pol in Mar beating Danum (8-6) by 2l, 12 ran.
Ice And Fire 16-1 (8-10) Behind, ridden, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 5l behind Lake Wakatipu (9-0) at W'hampton 2m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Iamback 16-1 (8-2) Held up, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Bill Bennett (9-2) at Folkestone 1m 4f app hcp (6) gs in Apr.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Close up, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, edged right, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Shekan Star (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
