mid-division, ridden and ran wide into straight 2f out, headway 1f out, soon led, ran on
in rear, lost action and pulled up 7f out
led, headed over 3f out, ridden, weakening when hampered over 2f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed just inside final furlong, keeping on when hampered and one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, tracking leader over 2f out, no extra final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ran wide into straight 2f out, headway 1f out, edged left, chased winner, kept on one pace
Nonrunner
ERINJAY is a winner without a penalty and is backed to follow up ahead of Chosen Forever and African Cheetah. Michael Wigham's charge won a maiden at Kempton before taking an apprentice riders handicap at that course last time. That showed that this opening mark of 70 is a lenient one so it's worth chancing that the slight increase and distance and switch to Wolverhampton won't halt the gelding's progress. Chosen Forever has himself been progressing well, winning three on the spin prior to a close second last time. His rating has shot up 24lbs since that spree began though and perhaps the handicapper now has this horse where he wants him, whereas our pick could yet be well treated. African Cheetah doesn't appeal as being particularly well handicapped but he's been known to front run and with a lack of pace in the line-up that could be enough for this one to hold on for third, so he's preferred to Bolodenka of the remainder. Richard Fahey's charge is down another pound in the ratings and will surely be found a race soon but our feeling is this one might be a touch too competitive. Kames Park is quirky but remains fairly treated on his best form, so with a solid look to his recent efforts and a promising claimer booked to ride he's not omitted lightly. Our feeling is he's desperately in need of pace though and with that not certain the percentage call is to look elsewhere. Supercast was well behind Chosen Forever when last out and may struggle to reverse that despite revised ratings, Benedict Spirit is difficult to recommend at present and Arabian Flame would only become of interest if significant support arrives, so at this stage our idea of the winner is Erinjay.
Chosen Forever 11-4 (9-2) In touch, headway over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, hard ridden, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Thunderstruck (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
African Cheetah 6-1 (8-5) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Winter Fever (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jan.
Arabian Flame (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and effort 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, 4th of 12, 7l behind Bridge Of Gold (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3yo mdn (4) sft in Apr.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Pressed leader, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Cupid's Glory (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Erinjay (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leader, hard ridden and stayed on to lead close home, won at Kempton 1m app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol in Jan beating Ocean Legend (9-6) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Supercast (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, hung left over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Chosen Forever (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Kames Park (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden and headway on outer over 1f out, driven and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Franco Is My Name (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Bolodenka (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Tracked winner, ridden approaching 1f out, kept on and no impression on winner, last of 2, 2 1/2l behind Soccerjackpot (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (5) pol in Jan.
