slowly into stride, held up in last pair, never on terms
led, ridden edged right over 1f out, hung left and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, went 2nd well over 1f out, not clear run briefly and switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven out
chased leader until well over 1f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, weakened and hung left inside final furlong
held up in last pair, headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on same pace
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place
pulled hard, chased leaders on outside, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened and behind
Azrael is dropped in class in the hope of bringing a frustrating run of placed efforts to an end, though the drop into this grade didn't do Classic Colori much good last time as he was still beaten six lengths when third at this track. Hillbilly Boy had arguably a better chance over 6f here a week ago but never threatened the winner so SAHARIA is preferred. He did well to finish as close as he did when second to Hurricane Spirit at Kempton last time given the unfavourable terms and can go one better in this.
Vitznau (IRE) 2-1fav (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Ermyntrude (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
Azrael 9-4 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Polar Kite (8-12) at Lingfield 7f clm stks 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Classic Colori (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace approaching final furlong, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Noble Jack (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol in Jan.
Khajaaly (IRE) 5-1 (7-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Polar Kite (8-12) at Lingfield 7f clm stks 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Saharia (IRE) 9-4 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up last, smooth headway on inside over 2f out, chased (clear) winner over 1f out, closed briefly inside final furlong, eased when held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Hurricane Spirit (8-4) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol in Jan.
The Kernigal (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 33l behind Big Sylv (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Dec.
Amber Moon 150-1 (8-9) Pulled hard in mid-division, lost place over 3f out, last of 10, 14l behind Spirit Of Gondree (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
Zing Wing 11-4 (9-2) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, not trouble leaders, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Climaxfortackle (8-9) at Wolverhampton 6f fll hcp (0-75) (5) pol in Jan.
Abhaath (USA) 4-1 (8-6) Keen tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, headway to chase winner over 1f out, kept on one pace near finish, 4th of 6, 3/4l behind The Mongoose (9-5) at Lingfield 1m sell stks (6) pol.
Hillbilly Boy (IRE) 7-2 (8-8) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left entering final furlong, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Hiddon Coin (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo clm stks (6) pol in Jan.