keen, held up, in touch, improved to track leaders 3f out, ridden 2f out, no response and soon weakened
tracked leaders, joined leader over 3f out, driven and every chance from 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, unable to quicken
steadied start, pulled hard, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
dwelt, tracked leader after 1f, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in last place, wide and headway approaching 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, headway and switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
led, joined from over 3f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
A strong finish to the card and one that can go to PROHIBITION ahead of Oriental Cavalier and Capeability. William Haggas' colt has evidently had his problems having not been seen out since last August but that maiden success is hard to ignore as the second placed horse is now rated 97, the third 95, making today's mark of 80 look exceptionally generous. Provided the son of Danehill Dancer's problems are behind him this unexposed three-year-old can make the perfect resumption to his career under in-form Jamie Spencer. Should the selection need the run, a question the market will help to answer, then Oriental Cavalier could take advantage. This one races off 72 having won a maiden last time from Kool Katie and had previously gone well in a course and distance handicap when no match for the progressive Naseehah. Both pieces of form suggest Reg Hollinshead's gelding can run well off this revised mark with Graham Gibbons up. Capeability is up 2lbs having run well in defeat last time, but Mick Channon's horse should still be capable of running a big race off this sort of mark having shown good form in maidens including at this track. The horse is however winless from ten starts and is therefore difficult to put forward as a likely winner. Andhaar is just 3lbs higher than his last winning mark but has been off for nearly two months and may just be handicapped to the hilt for this and similar sentiments apply to Iron Out who is creeping up the weights without winning. A good race but the one who has the potential to be a bit better than these is Prohibition and he is given the chance to prove just that.
Prohibition (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Soon led, made rest, clear from over 1f out, won at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) hvy in Nov '08 beating Class Is Class (9-3) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Andhaar 13-2 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Caster Sugar (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Oct.
Scrupulous 14-1 (8-7) Rear of mid-division, hampered and towards rear after 1f, some late headway final furlong, 9th of 15, 12l behind Clodova (9-1) at Killarney 1m 3yo hcp 60-90 in Aug.
Ladies Dancing 16-1 (9-2) Awkward start and slowly into stride, headway to track leader after 2f, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 10l behind Lyra's Daemon (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Capeability (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Soon in mid division, going well when switched right inside final 2f, led over 1f out, headed and outpaced inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Best In Class (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Iron Out (USA) 6-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, soon hung left, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 13, nk behind Elusive Fame (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Oriental Cavalier 8-11fav (9-3) Made all, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov beating Kool Katie (9-1) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
