prominent, led over 9f out, kicked clear over 2f out, unchallenged
held up in touch, ridden and bumped over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up, effort over 1f out, never near leaders
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
pushed along leaving stalls, mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden and bumped over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced keenly, held up, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, no impression on winner
chased leaders 8f
took keen hold in rear, ridden and behind final 4f
tracked leaders, chased winner 4f out, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd well inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon struggling
led, headed over 9f out, chased winner till 4f out, ridden and edged right over 2f out, soon weakened
This is a wide open finale but Wood Fern is narrowly preferred over the likes of Figaro's Quest and High. The selection was a close second behind Boogie Magic on this track last time and with the step-up in trip in his favour here he may prove too strong for the rest. Figaro's Quest has shown some decent form on the turf but he was disappointing on his only previous try on this surface so he is hard to put forward with any confidence. High was well-beaten last time but that was over a longer trip, and he had won well previously over this course and distance when beating King's Crest. That run would give him leading claims today and he is one to note in the market. Zaffeu has been running consistently well of late and it is hard to see him being kept out of the frame, but for the winner we will stick with Wood Fern.
Figaro's Quest (IRE) 3-1fav (8-8) Slowly into stride, well in rear, good headway 4f out, led over 2f out, soon well clear, pushed out final furlong, won at Brighton 1m 4f hcap (6) frm in Apr beating Chocolate Boy (8-9) by 10l, 12 ran.
Wood Fern (UAE) 9-4fav (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance well inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Boogie Magic (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol.
High (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway on outer over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened final 2f, 10th of 13, 41l behind Lake Wakatipu (9-0) at W'hampton 2m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Silver Prophet (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden to challenge 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Pocketwood (10-0) at Newbury 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Zaffeu 6-1 (9-3) Switched left start, behind, headway over 2f out, not clear run well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind Debbie (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in Feb.
Mustakhlas (USA) 9-2 (9-4) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 18l behind High (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
Pharaoh Prince 13-2 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace, no impression final furlong, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Abbeygate (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Cyber Santa 11-2 (8-8) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 23l behind Platinum Charmer (7-10) at Warwick 1m 3f app hcp (6) gf in Jun.
