prominent, led 6f out until driven and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f
prominent, dirven to lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, effort and every chance over 1f out, driven and one pace final furlong
led, headed 6f out, remained handy until driven and weakened final furlong
in rear, headway and effort over 2f out soon driven, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
dwelt, in rear, never able to challenge
held up, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong never nearer
held up, never troubled leaders
With six horses rated over 70 this has the makings of a good contest; preference is for recent Great Leighs winner ELECTRIC WARRIOR ahead of Xtra Torrential and Avertis. Karl Burke's gelding had a fine opportunity when last seen and grasped it well. Rated 85, it is no surprise to see him in claiming company again and from a good draw he should run well. Xtra Torrential is the highest rated in the line-up; he was an easy winner back in January at the track but was then disappointing when seen in August at Kempton and he remains a risky betting proposition. Red Somerset is consistent and drops in class into this company for the first time. He is still paying for a profitable spell in the summer but is one from one on the all-weather. Obezyana and Imprimis Tagula are fair but have a bit to find at these weights, High Profit represents a National Hunt yard going well, whilst Avertis won well last time out at Southwell and he has an excellent strike-rate. A decent claimer, in which we will side with Electric Warrior.
Imprimis Tagula (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Raced keenly in touch, slightly bumped over 2f out, ridden, no impression over 1f out, 7th of 8, 6l behind Titan Triumph (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Obezyana (USA) 7-2 (9-9) Chased leading pair, chased winner 3f out, pressed winner from over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Electric Warrior (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m app clm (5) pol in Nov.
Red Somerset (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Axiom (9-2) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Oct.
Xtra Torrential (USA) 25-1 (10-0) Always behind, last of 11, 13l behind Russki (9-9) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Aug.
Electric Warrior (IRE) 8-15fav (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, pressed from over 2f out, asserted inside final furlong, won at Great Leighs 1m app clm (5) pol in Nov beating Obezyana (9-9) by 4l, 4 ran.
Avertis 8-1 (8-12) Soon led, ridden over 2f, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov beating Ocean Legend (9-4) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
High Profit (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, headway to chase over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Palamoun (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn (5) pol in Mar '07.
Marino Prince (FR) 33-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 10th of 11, 33l behind Star Choice (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Ardent Prince 11-1 (8-8) Steadied start, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no headway over 1f out, 9th of 12, 13l behind Pab Special (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 6-1 (8-11) Behind, stayed on final 2f, never nearer, 8th of 18, 10l behind Middlemarch (9-1) at Redcar 1m clm (4) gs in Sept.
Copperbottomed (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, effort halfway, soon beaten, 11th of 14, 11l behind Another Genepi (8-9) at Southwell 7f clm (6) fbs in Nov.
Turkish Sultan (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Held up, always in rear, 9th of 11, 12l behind Fortunella (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Nov.