in touch, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong
close up, headway to chase leader over 1f out, ridden and unable to quicken, kept on to go 2nd final strides
dwelt towards rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly away towards rear, wide into straight 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, nearest finish
in rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
led, ridden 2 lengths clear entering final 2f, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd final strides
slowly away in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, never nearer
in touch, headway 2f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Assanilka has become frustrating to follow since making a winning debut at Kempton in 2016. She’s starting to creep up the weights again and has been done no favours by the draw in this. Delilah Park won a maiden over track and trip at the end of last year but pulled much too hard on a return visit when a well-backed favourite. She needs to put that run behind her and meets an in-form rival in NARALSAIF, on a hat-trick after wins here and at Chelmsford over a furlong further and sure to give a good account again. Acadian Angel should have benefited from a pipe-opener at Newcastle and Fruit Salad also has a squeak though a bigger danger may be Lingfield fourth Met By Moonlight, who is well drawn and also has Jason Watson’s claim in her favour.
Helfire 10-1 (8-13) Always behind, 6th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Bobby Wheeler (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Delilah Park 11-10fav (9-7) Raced keenly, tracked leader, ridden well over 1f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, eased, last of 4, 7l behind Veena (9-8) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp fll (5) pol in Jan.
Fruit Salad 16-1 (9-7) In rear and outpaced, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Liquid (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Assanilka (FR) 9-4 (9-5) Led, driven when challenged inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Miss Minuty (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp fll (5) pol in Feb.
Acadian Angel (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, 9th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Oriental Lilly (8-12) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Poppy In The Wind 4-1jfav (9-4) Held up, headway when not much room 2f out, no quicken entering final furlong, soon switched right, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Duke Cosimo (9-1) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Met By Moonlight 13-2 (9-3) Raced wide keen in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 3l behind Anonymous John (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Ruby Gates (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Steadied start, held up in rear, never a factor, last of 9, 9 1/2l behind Naralsaif (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp fll (5) pol in Feb.
Naralsaif (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, keen, led over 1f out, strongly challenged throughout final half furlong, just held on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp fll (5) pol in Feb beating Beatbybeatbybeat (8-13) by hd, 9 ran.
Bataka 4-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along and went 3rd 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Peachey Carnehan (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
She's Zoff (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, lost place 4f out, stayed on final 100 yards, no threat, 6th of 11, 3 3/4l behind La Fortuna (9-5) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (7) pol in Feb.
