led and set slow pace, headed 3f out ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
slowly into stride soon chasing leader, led 3f out, came wide into home straight, headed 1f out and one pace
always in the rear
held up mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led 1f out, kept on
keen in rear, effort and headway over 2f out, kept on
mid-division and keen, headway 7f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed 1f out and no extra
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and ran on near finish
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Melvino is in good form and is taken to land the finale with Little Richard and Reaching Out the main dangers. The selection won well over this course and distance last time when beating Augustine. That rival is weighted to make more of a race of it today but it was a cosy success for our selection and the fact that he continues to improve means he should win again. Little Richard has been running consistently well but he looks a little high in the weights at present and for that reason he is opposed. Reaching Out ran a blinder last time when chasing home Tous Les Deux and he gave the impression that his turn was not far away. However, we are not convinced with him over this longer trip, although when he reverts back to 1m2f he could be worth supporting. Three Thieves won well last time and should be capable of running into some place money again today, but Melvino continues to progress and can land the nightcap.
Augustine 10-3jt-fav (8-7) Held up, improved over 4f out, led briefly approaching 2f out, ridden, no extra final furlong, 6th of 8, 4l behind Sgt Schultz (8-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Desert Leader (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Very slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 13, 19l behind Dragon Slayer (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Pass The Port 5-2jt-fav (8-13) Held up, headway 4f out, every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 5l behind Dundry (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Melvino 9-2jt-fav (8-12) Held up, headway over 3f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating Augustine (9-6) by 2l, 10 ran.
Reaching Out (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, soon headed, hung right, rallied to lead post, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Tous Les Deux (9-0) by a shd. Later dsq to 2nd, 13 ran.
Three Thieves (UAE) 4-1jt-fav (10-9) Held up, headway and switched right over 1f out, led inside last, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol beating Dovedon Hero (10-13) by 2l, 11 ran.
Primo Way 14-1 (7-12) Held up towards rear, headway and hung left from over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 10, 2l behind Daring Affair (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Little Richard (IRE) 6-4fav (9-8) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, carried right 1f out, soon no extra, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Reminiscent (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
