prominent, lost place over 3f out, eased over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 6f out, led 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on
held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, never dangerous
held up in touch,headway over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leader, weakened 2f out
soon behind, ridden halfway, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
in rear, headway over 4f out, chased winner over 2f out, until no extra inside final furlong
led, until ridden and headed 3f out, weakening when not much room 2f out
prominent, weakened 5f out
held up mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out
I'll Do It Today gets the vote over Sovereign Spirit, with Little Richard, Dayoff, Mungo Jerry and Aleron also worth a mention. Sovereign Spirit displayed plenty of stamina when scoring over the course-and-distance in December, and has since battled his heart out to win over 12 furlongs on the Southwell Fibresand. However, in between those two runs, he was beaten a short-head by I'll Do It Today, and as the latter is now four-pounds better off, it is Malcolm Jefferson's charge that is selected. He looks a very progressive sort on the all-weather, and can pay to follow until going back over hurdles. Little Richard was not up to the task when beaten in a handicap here 16 days ago, having previously won in Banded company, but is another that will have no problems staying. The ex-Irish Dayoff ran well when second to A Thousand Smiles here before turning out over timber last time, while Aleron has been very busy at that game and has his first outing on the Flat since last year. Mungo Jerry only won a seller here last time, and I'll Do It Today is the one to beat in our eyes.
Aleron (IRE) 7-1 (8-3) Prominent and keen, lost place 6f out, ridden over 3f out, edged left and kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 7l behind Into The Shadows (8-7) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in May.
Keshya 9-1 (8-6) Held up, lost place over 3f out, some late progress, never on terems, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Hurricane Coast (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol in Jan.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) In touch, led over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan beating High Frequency (8-8) by a shd, 11 ran.
Mungo Jerry (GER) 12-1 (9-8) Held up, headway 2f out, ran on under pressure to lead near line, won at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Dec beating Moon Shot (9-4) by a nk, 12 ran.
Little Richard (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Moon Emperor (9-4) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Dayoff (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 2f, ridden over 4f out, outpaced by winner over 2f out, 2nd of 11, 8l behind A Thousand Smiles (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
I'll Do It Today 11-2fav (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 7l behind Moon Emperor (9-4) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Smoothie (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 7l behind Cumbrian Knight (11-2) at W'hampton 2m 1f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
