held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on
led, headed over 6f out, pushed along over 3f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led over 6f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, just held on
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression
held up in mid-division, headway on outer over 2f out, stayed on and edged left inside final furlong, just held
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out soon faded
held up in touch, lost place over 5f out, headway on inner over 1f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong
in rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression
held up towards rear and keen, headway on outer over 4f out, weakened 2f out
A decent contest with an open look on paper with the possible exception of PERPETUALLY, who might just be able to make a mockery of his mark of 91 and complete a hat-trick, while December Draw and Chosen Forever may be his toughest opponents. The Mark Johnston-trained selection tries the Polytrack for the first time in competitive action after having won on debut at York two seasons ago and then not being see since scoring at Newmarket over a similar trip to today's, 11 months ago. He has to prove himself on this surface, but clearly goes very well fresh and hails from a yard in cracking form, and we will side with him. December Draw has thrived since stepped up to around this distance, culminating in a win at Lingfield last time. He is 5lbs higher today but that should not be a huge issue given his profile, and pedigree suggests that he has every chance of acting on the slower surface, so he is a threat. Chosen Forever loves it here, having won four of his last five starts, all over course and distance. That has seen him rise 31lbs in the weights, but he still had enough in hand last time to suggest that he will make a bold bid from a 7lbs higher mark. Confidentiality is another course specialist who should be better for the return to this track , though he will need a career best to get his nose in front, and a better proposition may be Snow Dancer, who rarely runs a bad race at Dunstall Park and looks a live player for the frame. Mafeking is tried here for the first time and market support would be interesting for an otherwise exposed performer, but Perpetually gets the vote tonight.
Carcinetto (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 2f out no impression, until ran on towards finish to take 3rd, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Dalradian (9-3) at Lingfield 1m cnd stks (4yo+) (3) pol in Feb.
Perpetually (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on under strong pressure, edged right and led post, won at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr beating Imposing (8-10) by shd, 11 ran.
Mafeking (UAE) 16-1 (8-8) Mid-division, driven and headway over 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Dalradian (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Rainbow Mirage (IRE) 11-2 (9-12) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, sharp reminders over 3f out, driven and hung left over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Foolin Myself (9-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-90 (3) fbs in Aug.
December Draw (IRE) 2-1fav (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final strides, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Officer In Command (8-11) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Confidentiality (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 9l behind Gitano Hernando (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) pol in Feb.
Chosen Forever 9-2 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and ran wide into straight 2f out, headway 1f out, soon led, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Feb beating Kames Park (7-13) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Red Somerset (USA) 8-1 (9-1) Raced wide tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Dalradian (9-3) at Lingfield 1m cnd stks (4yo+) (3) pol in Feb.
Snow Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Full Toss (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f cnd stks (4yo+) (3) pol in Feb.
Justcallmehandsome 50-1 (8-12) Chased leading pair, ridden and not quicken 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 6l behind Charlie Smirke (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
