held up in touch, headway over 2f out, soon chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
keen, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, headway towards inside well over 1f out, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on again inside final furlong
led 1f, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, one pace near finish
led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, joined inside final furlong, headed towards finish, ran on
held up towards rear, smooth headway on inside well over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, ran on under hand riding to lead towards finish
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, not pace to reach leaders
held up towards rear, came wide straight, never dangerous
A tough race to call here with a very competitive look to it and plenty of course and distance form among the nine declared and we will side with STAND GUARD to score, while Tartan Gunna may be the one to chase him home. The selection loves it here, with three wins at the track, over what looks to be his optimum trip. He is racing from a mark 2lbs higher than the best of those wins tonight, but Andrew Heffernan's 5lb claim helps to negate that and with the yard's runners going well enough we will side with him to follow up his success of last time. Tartan Gunna has not been seen since October, but Mark Johnston's runners are generally straight enough after an absence, and this four-year-old may still have improvement to come over this trip, though it may also stretch his stamina too far. He acts here and is respected. Baylini would have a much better chance if this were at her beloved Lingfield, but we are taking her on, while we will also oppose Thunderstruck from his current mark. Confidentiality is just 2lbs above his highest winning mark and market support for the Michael Wigham-trained runner would make him of more interest. Winter Fever should remain competitive from today's mark of 88, while Orchard Supreme would be thrown in on old form, though he has failed to produce that for some time and is a risky proposition. Wigwam Willie tries this surface for the first time and acts well with cut on the level. He is 4lbs higher than his best win on turf and again, the market will be a good guide to his chance. Just Bond should not be underestimated as he loves it here and is back below his best winning figure, and with so many in with a shout the market should be strong and Stand Guard is our suggestion.
Tartan Gunna 8-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Cill Rialaig (8-7) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct.
Wigwam Willie (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 8l behind Extraterrestrial (9-2) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sep.
Baylini 14-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear and raced keen, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind King Olav (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb.
Stand Guard 5-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, made all, hard ridden final furlong, held on gamely, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Formidable Guest (8-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Winter Fever (SAF) 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, hard ridden to challenge approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 8th of 14, 5l behind Dalradian (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Thunderstruck 12-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, pulled hard early, led over 3f out, headed just over 1f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 7l behind Dalradian (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Orchard Supreme 33-1 (8-5) In rear, ridden and headway approaching 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 12, 3l behind Mahadee (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Confidentiality (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Mafeking (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Just Bond (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and edged right 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 5l behind Stand Guard (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
