chased leaders, challenged 2f out, led well over 1f out, in command final furlong, ran on well
led at fast pace, headed and weakened 2f out
dwelt soon chased leaders, went 3rd well over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept in into 2nd last strides, no chance with winner
always behind, struggling halfway
held up, went modest 4th well over 1f out
The drop down to five furlongs can see HOT SPARK get off the mark ahead of South African and Lexi's Layla, with Ryan Style the only other to merit serious consideration in a weak race. Kevin Ryan's charge was well backed ahead of his seasonal reappearance but ran into a smart looking newcomer and had to settle for second. He's been given a rating of 79 on the back of that and really should be good enough to take this, especially as he showed good pace throughout the early stages of the contest to suggest that five furlongs here will prove ideal. South African may be booked for second once more on her third start. The filly has gone well twice already at the track and there's every chance she can progress further with Paul Hanagan now taking over in the plate but the races she's taken part in haven't worked out particularly well and on balance her form remains some way below that of our pick. Similar comments apply to Lexi's Layla who has it all to do if the handicapper has her right, but it must be said her best effort came over this trip at the back end of last season and there should be more to come. Ryan Style is improving with racing although this drop back to five furlongs may be his undoing, but with newcomer Prince Of Nama making little appeal on paper he looks set to finish no worse than fourth. Lunar Lass returns from almost three years off and didn't look anything better than moderate when last she raced and Titch has been beaten out of sight in similar contests, so this is best left to Hot Spark.
Ryan Style (IRE) 13-2 (9-13) Led, headed over 3f out, led again 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Murura (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Lunar Lass 50-1 (8-2) In touch, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 17, 9l behind Leading Edge (9-4) at Nottingham 5f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Nov '07.
South African (USA) 11-4 (8-12) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Gurteen Diamond (8-5) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn fll (5) pol in Sep.
Titch (IRE) 100-1 (9-8) Never better than mid-division, last of 13, 27l behind Murura (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Hot Spark 13-8fav (8-12) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Shearman (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Prince Of Nama (IRE) Dubawi colt out of Zapping.
Lexi's Layla (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Switched right to inside and held up in touch, switched left over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Chat De La Burg (9-3) at Kempton 5f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
