dropped to rear, headway approaching final furlong, ridden to lead and flashed tail towards finish
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden, headed 2f out, carried head akwardly, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway to lead 2f out, ridden and headed towards finish
raced in last place, ridden 2f out, never a factor
raced wide, held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
soon led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, with winner and every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong
pulled hard, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
keen in mid-division, ridden and headway to track leaders 2f out, one pace final furlong
Whilst coming with risks attached, AHLAWY should take all the beating here and can oblige from Shakalaka and Weald Park. Frank Sheridan's gelding was undeniably disappointing back from a break last time when sent off at 8/13, but that will be reflected in his price here and for the grade he's a solid sort. Not only that, he comes out easily the best at the weights and in the hope that today's pilot adopts more suitable patient tactics he's expected to prove hard to beat. Shakalaka won a maiden in fine style last time and the second horse that day has since won a handicap off a mark of 60. That suggests that Gary Moore's charge is worthy of his official mark, one which gives him claims, so with the trip fine he will be a tough nut to crack. Weald Park is a more speculative addition to the shortlist having shown precious little of late for Richard Hannon. However, today's trip should be fine and this is the first time he's dropped to claiming company so perhaps the lower standard of competition can spark a revival. If he fails to do himself justice once more, perhaps Big Nige could defy the ratings and take a place on the podium. Strictly speaking Jeff Pearce's gelding has the beating of Shakalaka as when they met off level weights there was less than six lengths between them yet today Big Nige gets lumps of weight, but despite the fact he's unexposed we don't expect the form to be reversed. Navajo Nation isn't without claims at the weights and ran well when last seen on the level, so along with Watchmaker he's certain to attract a little each way money. The last named was pulled up over obstacles last time but goes well here, whilst Farncombe is an unexposed filly with a win to her name so she's more chance than some. This is more complex than your average claimer, but we'll stick with the one favoured by the weights and that horse is Ahlawy.
Shakalaka (IRE) 5-2 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, led on bit over 1f out, easily, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) in Dec beating Chanrossa (8-12) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Weald Park (USA) 10-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, last of 10, 12l behind Hereford Boy (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Ahlawy (IRE) 8-13fav (8-10) Slowly into stride, recovered to lead after 1f, headed well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 7l behind Theocritus (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Jan.
Academy Gigsnreels (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and joined 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 6, 16l behind Boundless Prospect (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Navajo Nation (IRE) 4-1 (8-5) Keen, held up in touch, ridden to challenge leader over 2f out, soon every chance, driven inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Lucy's Perfect (8-2) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) gf in Oct.
Days of Thunder (IRE) 200-1 (9-2) Raced wide in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, soon lost place, 10th of 11, 20l behind Ghufa (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Watchmaker 16-1 (9-2) Led to 7f out, chased leader to inside final 2f, weakened quickly, 13th of 14, 39l behind Beau Fighter (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Big Nige (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Chased leader, challenged and every chance approaching final 1f, until outpaced inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Satwa Gold (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Jan.
Farncombe (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Took keen hold in rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 17l behind Sircozy (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
