held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
slowly into stride, always behind
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, hung left and one pace from over 1f out
broke well, in touch, ridden halfway, soon weakened
slowly into stride, behind, not much room halfway, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd close home
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden when edged left and led over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
led after 1f, soon hung right, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led 1f, chased leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Canina can end a frustrating run of seconds, with African Concerto, Grenane and Xpres Boy all out to stop her. Canina is a half-sister to Frascati but has yet to emulate her prolific winning relative. However, she has gone close on a number of occasions, most recently when sent off favourite to land a maiden over five furlongs here just four days ago. She found one too good in the shape of Sands Crooner, failing to find another gear over that minimum trip, so hopefully the step back up in trip will help her cause. It may well be that she will eventually go over a mile, but for now, off today's mark she again has claims. African Concerto showed much improved form when third in a Lingfield nursery 10 days ago, proving in the process that he handles a Polytrack surface, so there could be more to come from him, while Grenane was successful over the course and distance the time before last and is not out of it despite topweight. Xpres Boy opened his account at Southwell last time, but that was over seven furlongs, and he will probably need more of a stamina test than he will get today. The market should be watched for the likes of Reality Time and Ockums Razor who both return from breaks, and our vote stays with Canina.
Grenane (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Pulled hard, tracked winner to over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2l behind Grand Jour (8-10) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
African Concerto (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) In rear, still last over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Orchard Supreme (8-8) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Prettilini 3-1 (8-0) Went left start, made virtually all, ridden 2f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) pol in Dec beating Cativo Cavallino (8-9) by 1l, 9 ran.
Xpres Boy (IRE) 7-2 (8-7) In touch, led over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) fbs in Dec beating Inaminute (8-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Canina 11-4jt-fav (8-6) In touch, every chance well inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Sands Crooner (8-8) at W'hampton 5f mdn stk (5) pol.
Opal Warrior 10-3 (8-7) Took keen hold, soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 8l behind Reveur (8-7) at W'hampton 7f nov stk (5) pol in Dec.
Trombone Tom 7-1 (8-6) Chased leaders until weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 5l behind Rapsgate (8-5) at W'hampton 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Ockums Razor (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Chased winner, driven over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Rothesay Dancer (8-9) at Catterick 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Oct.
