held up, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on
soon led, headed over 7f out, remained prominent until ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up, headway and hung left over 1f out, ran on
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
led 7f out, headed over 2f out, not quicken towards finish
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
took keen hold, always prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, driven out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
took keen hold in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, never near leaders
Latif gets the call here ahead of Seattle Robber and Danettie. Latif has to be considered here as he managed to land his first win last time, his first run since a gelding operation. Clearly in good heart, he can go well. A course and distance winner, Seattle Robber is not ruled out back in handicap company after some fair runs at selling and claiming level. The recent seller winner, Risk Free, has shown that he can run well off this type of mark outside of that grade, but Wrenlane's form seems to have nosedived since a win here in November 2004. Having raced over further than today of late, spare some thought for Farnborough, whose two wins have come over course and distance, while, much as Danettie has not built on her Lingfield mile banded stakes win, Eddie Ahern, who seems to get on well with her, is back on board today, and she is respected. It is hard to fully quantify the value of Melee's form, which has all come in maidens, while Prince Of Gold is entitled to some thought off a reasonable mark if putting his best foot forward. Hiawatha showed signs of a return to form last time and is a course and distance winner, and Musical Gift has shown that he can knock at the door from around today's mark, while, finally, a good run from Pheckless cannot be ruled out from his current mark. All in all, though, we will side with Latif.
Seattle Robber 14-1 (9-1) Behind, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace, 6th of 12, 7l behind Danelor (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol in Jan.
Risk Free 12-1 (8-8) Mid division, ridden over 3, headway over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Hurricane Coast (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol in Jan.
Wrenlane 4-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, soon mid-division, weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 12l behind Devil's Island (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Melee 8-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Orpendonna (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Prince of Gold 9-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, slightly hampered over 4f out, soon lost place, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on well, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Lady Suesanne (8-7) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Hiawatha (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Behind, headway over 1f out, hard ridden and stayed on strongly closing stages, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Mythical Charm (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol in Dec.
Latif (USA) 6-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Jan beating Indian Edge (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Musical Gift 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, led briefly inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Mad Maurice (9-0) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Jan.
