slowly into stride, in rear, switched right, stayed on strongly from over 1f out, not reached winner
mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, headway on outside over 4f out, ridden, weakened over 1f out
made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden, headway over 1f out, kept on
tracked leader, chased winner over 2f out, one pace
mid-division, ridden, kept on one pace from 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened
towards rear, slightly outpaced 3f out, switched left, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
A competitive affair on paper can go the way of Arnie de Burgh ahead of Samuel Charles, Defi and Merdif. Arnie de Burgh only weakened in the final furlong when a close third to Glad Big at Lingfield a week ago, and the latter so nearly paid the form a compliment when narrowly held there on Wednesday. Declan Daly's inmate had earlier scored over the course-and-distance on what was only his third outing since the summer, and he still appears reasonably weighted. With Shane Kelly in great form since returning from injury, Arnie de Burgh should go very close. Samuel Charles has gone up in the weights of late but deservedly so and can be a leading player along with Defi who only failed narrowly here 12 days ago on what was his first run since October. Merdif has much the same chance on running behind Tuscorora and will have his supporters, and Kensington should not be ruled out lightly either, so only a small vote goes to Arnie de Burgh.
Samuel Charles 8-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Byron Bay (9-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Defi (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Lincolneurocruiser (8-5) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Out of India 13-2 (8-11) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 11th of 13, 15l behind Local Poet (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
Arnie de Burgh 9-2 (9-0) Led 1f, tracked leader after, ridden and every chance 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Glad Big (9-1) at Lingfield 7f app hcp (5) pol.
Out For A Stroll 16-1 (8-7) Always behind, ridden and struggling final 3f, 10th of 11, 14l behind Northern Desert (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Kensington (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, ridden and outpaced 3f out, stayed on approaching final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 4l behind Bessemer (9-0) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Blue Empire (IRE) 7-4fav (8-11) Chased leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 14, 6l behind Speed Dial Harry (9-9) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
Merdiff 11-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Tuscarora (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
