mid-division, headway and hung right entering straight, one pace
in rear, pushed on over 2f out, never near leaders
slowly into stride, outpaced, never dangerous
went slightly right start, chased leaders, weakening when bumped well over 1f out
started very slowly, always well behind
always prominent, led after 1f, ridden and ran on inside final furlong
led 1f, pressed winner, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
mid-division, soon pushed along, behind final 3f
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace
King Of Charm is our choice ahead of the handicap debutant Alexander Huricane and Avoca Dancer. Gary Moores' charge was a winner over 5F at Kempton on his penultimate start before disappointing over the same course and distance last time. Although this is the same grade, it does appear a weaker contest and King of Charm is taken to score. Alexander Huricane made his belated racecourse debut at Southwell recently and although proving victorious, he made hard work of it and now has something to prove. He appeared to be outpaced during that contest and against more experinced rivals, albeit moderate, he is passed over. Avoca Dancer reverts to the minimum trip having been successful over 6F over the course last time. Like many of his stable companions, they have been improving steadily throughout the all-weather campaign and although the step back in trip is a concern, he has to be respected. Maiden Investor is worthy of a check in the market. He was a winner over 9F in December but is vulnerable against proven 5F rivals while Stoneacre Gareth was noted running on in the latter stages of an event over course and distance last time and is best watched. An interesting contest with the unexposed Alexander Huricane involved but King Of Charm is given the nod.
Melandre 50-1 (8-4) Chased leaders to halfway, 12th of 14, 10l behind Fern House (8-13) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-60 (6) frm in Aug.
King of Charm (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 3l behind Sir Loin (8-1) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Stoneacre Donny (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, raced wide, always towards rear, last of 8, 7l behind Sir Don (9-0) at W'hampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Stoneacre Gareth (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Reared at start, ridden and stayed on from over 1f out, not reach leaders, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Miss Curly (8-8) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Maiden Investor 5-1 (8-12) Started slowly, raced keenly behind, hampered after 1f, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Davids Mark (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Alexander Huricane (IRE) 2-7fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden halfway, hard ridden and stayed on to lead close home, won at W'hampton 5f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Jan beating Kilvickeon (9-3) by a nk, 4 ran.
Blackheath (IRE) 15-2 (8-7) Slowly into stride, ridden and headway halfway, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 5l behind Sherjawy (8-12) at Southwell 5f sll (6) fbs.
Eastern Princess 20-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Savile's Delight (11-2) at Southwell 5f amt hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
Town House 16-1 (8-1) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Miss Curly (8-8) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Avoca Dancer (IRE) 2-1 (8-11) Held up, headway on outside 2f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, soon hung left, no impression, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Smirfys Systems (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
