in touch, going well and tracked leader over 1f out, close up when shaken up and not run on
steadied start, held up, effort over 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, hung right on bend and weakened quickly over 2f out
in touch, headway on inside over 1f out, squeezed through to lead inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out
led, ridden 2f out, one pace when headed inside final furlong
keen, ridden and headway 3f out, chased leading trio soon after, one pace
held up, driven and headway over 2f out, stayed on
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, tailed off from over 1f out
broke well and soon steadied to rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
Oceana Blue looks the one to be with in this handicap; the list of dangers is headed by Fujin Dancer and Love Cat. Andrew Balding's filly does have a penalty to shoulder after her win last time at Kempton when she beat Too Grand, but she won well there and she looks progressive. She has a good draw tonight and she can make it back-to-back successes. Fujin Dancer was making his all-weather debut and having his first run of the season when last seen at Southwell so he has to be of interest on his handicap debut. Richard Fahey's colt is also stepped-up in trip here, and although he has to be respected, there are enough unknowns about him to put us off on this occasion. Similar comments can be made about Kevin Ryan's Love Cat, and he is another worth noting in the market on his handicap bow. Ricci de Mare won in this grade last time so with that proven form in the book this filly is another to consider. This is a tough race for punters to fathom but the most likely winner looks to be Oceana Blue.
Oceana Blue 14-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, good headway on bit over 1f out, led just over 1f out, shaken up, soon clear, pushed out, easily, won at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Mar beating Too Grand (8-9) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Bahamian Blue (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Led to over 5f out, chased leader until weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 6l behind Polar Annie (9-5) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Ricci de Mare 16-1 (9-4) Dwelt, soon pushed along to be in touch, ridden 2f out, soon every chance, driven to lead well inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 3yo sll hcp (6) fbs in Mar beating Novestar (9-1) by a hd, 8 ran.
Fujin Dancer (FR) 14-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leading trio, ridden halfway went 3rd over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Minus Fifteen (8-13) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Mar.
Love Cat (USA) 25-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 9l behind Naval Review (9-0) at Doncaster 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Tapas Lad (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, slightly hampered over 4f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, faded final furlong, 7th of 11, 8l behind Novestar (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Scientific 13-2 (8-11) Held up in touch, effort over 1f out, not paced to challenge, kept on, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Wogan's Sister (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Yakama (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden over 2f out, chased leaders 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on well, 3rd of 10, nk behind Lowry's Art (9-4) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp (6) gs in Mar.
Whodouthinkur (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Soon outpaced, 7th of 8, 19l behind Ricci de Mare (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3yo sll hcp (6) fbs in Mar.
Holden Caulfield (IRE) 100-1 (8-11) Steadied start, held up behind but in touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon in rear, last of 6, 18l behind Maxwil (9-0) at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Oct.
