behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on approaching final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, soon outpaced, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on final furlong
always towards rear
pushed along towards rear, ridden over 2f out, some late headway over 1f out
always towards rear
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well towards finish, just held
chased leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden, just held on
chased leaders for 2f
Almaty Express is the pick ahead of Blue Moon Hitman, Mambazo, Mind Alert and Taboor. All of those mentioned have shown up well of late, and only a narrow verdict goes the way of Almaty Express who has been a regular visitor here since November, gaining a win over today's trip in November. He tried to make all of the running in an amateur riders' event three weeks ago, but was collared by Mambazo and beaten a length-and-a-quarter. He can now meet that rival on four-pound better terms, and that should be more than enough for him to gain revenge over the Stuart Williams inmate. Blue Moon Hitman was well behind Mambazo in December but has since bounced back to beat Byo narrowly here in a claimer. He needs to step up a gear to figure, while the likes of Mind Alert and Taboor also need to improve, although Mind Alert is well in with Mambazo on an earlier piece of form; however, the blinkered Almaty Express is the pick.
Almaty Express 7-2 (11-6) Soon led, clear when ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken well inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Mambazo (11-2) at W'hampton 5f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Mambazo 10-3fav (11-2) Held up, soon switched left, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 5f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Almaty Express (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Vague Star (ITY) 12-1 (8-13) Prominent, effort well over 1f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 8l behind Silent Storm (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Best Lead 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 11l behind Mambazo (11-2) at W'hampton 5f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Four Amigos (USA) 66-1 (8-12) Chased winner until halfway, ridden, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 4l behind Zorn (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Blue Moon Hitman (IRE) 11-1 (9-8) Soon led, edged right 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 5f clm (5) pol in Jan beating Byo (9-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mind Alert 15-2 (8-9) Held up in mid-division, headway going well over 2f out, ridden to lead briefly well inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 13, nk behind Desert Light (8-7) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol.
Taboor (IRE) 5-2fav (8-12) Mid-division, headway and going well when hampered over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Times Review (8-9) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
