tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, weakened and lost 2nd well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, in touch, pushed along over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong to take 2nd final 50 yards
made all, driven over 1f out, stayed on well to draw clear inside final furlong
tracked winner, untill ridden over 1f out, one pace
Just a quartet turn up for this handicap but with plenty of recent wins against their names the race has a trappy look and preference is just for DEMONSTRATIVE, though Kinky Afro looks a serious threat. The selection is another Mark Johnston inmate who looks very likely to improve for a step up in trip. The Elusive Quality gelding landed a Southwell handicap last month before just failing to get to the winner here next time. Both races were over 7f, but pedigree and his running style suggest that this extra couple of furlongs should be able to bring about further improvement and we hope that that is good enough. Kinky Afro has scored twice recently over 7f and a mile, both at Lingfield, with a 4lb rise for the most recent of those being entirely fair. With stamina on her dam's side she may also be able to find more for the slight step up in trip and if she can then she could go very close. Brian Meehan's Robust Wish won a 7f maiden here in November, and despite being held in handicaps from this mark twice since then, he is another who could show better form now upped in distance and he is not ruled out. Miami Gator receives weight from the other trio but comes here in cracking form having won two from his last three, including over course and distance last time. He is not beyond further improvement and he will need to find it to win in this more competitive company. Demonstative is the one for us.
Robust Wish (USA) 10-3 (9-9) Held up in last, ridden and tried to close over 1f out, no impression, one pace, 4th of 5, 3l behind Niran (9-8) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Demonstrative (USA) Evensfav (9-6) Slowly into stride, pushed along towards rear, chased leaders over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, not reached winner, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Rjeef (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Kinky Afro (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb beating Khanivorous (9-4) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Miami Gator (IRE) 9-4fav (8-13) Tracked leader, pushed along to lead just below 2f out, ridden 1f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, soon hard ridden, kept on gamely to regain lead post, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb beating Pastello (8-7) by shd, 5 ran.
