pressed leaders on outside, ridden over 1f out, outpaced inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inside, driven to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon ridden, headed near finish, joined for 2nd post
mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, no impression
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost place inside final 100 yards
pressed leader, ridden 1f out, lost place inside final furlong, soon weakened
tracked leaders, not clear run over 1f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, no impression towards finish
held up behind, switched towards outside and headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, not pace of winner towards finish, dead heated for 2nd post
Like many a sprinter, most of these come in and out of form and are not the easiest to predict. Qaaraat ran well last month and made the first four on all three starts, each of which came at a different all-weather venue, including here. The Brittain gelding should go well again off the bottom rung of the weights. However, KNOCKABOUT QUEEN enjoyed an excellent opening month of the year with a close second and two victories from her three starts. She's not been hit too hard by the handicapper and will be a tough nut to crack if maintaining her level and continuing to prove particularly strong in the final stages. Course and distance winner, Tabaahy, shaped much better last time and will be involved at the business end if building on that effort. Equally Fast completes the shortlist.
Knockabout Queen 13-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Perfect Symphony (9-2) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Tabaahy 7-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Klopp (9-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Equally Fast 5-2fav (9-7) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Spirit Power (9-8) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Creek Harbour (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Close up on outside, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 10 3/4l behind Spirit Power (9-8) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Precious Plum 14-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Becker (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Empty Promises 8-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Superseded (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in May.
It Must Be Faith 14-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Spirit Power (9-8) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Qaaraat 8-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, stayed on into 2nd well inside final furlong, never reached winner, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Moveonup (9-6) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.