mid-division, headway on outside 3f out, lead over 1f out, headed close home
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace
towards rear, shaken up and headway on inside 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, no extra
held up, ridden over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead close home
keen and going well in mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, shaken up soon after, every chance 1f out, held well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance approaching 1f out, weakened
in touch, ridden and weakened 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, to chase leaders, one pace
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, faded
in touch, lost place 3f out, soon in rear
lead after 1 furlong, ridden over 2f out, soon headed and weakened
towards rear, ridden and headway on wide outside 2f out, stayed on well, not reached leaders
This looks tight on paper but we will shortlist three, these being Loaded Gun, Wind Chime and Warlingham, with the vote going to Loaded Gun. The selection won over course an distance from a pound lower rating five days ago and, coming into this race in good heart, has to be considered, although his wide draw might not be totally ideal. Wind Chime put in a good effort over slightly further at Lingfield last time, and a repeat of that gives him claims, while Warlingham is a pound better off for the neck he finished behind the selection when they met over course and distance last time, so he holds an obvious chance too. These look to us to be the major players, with, as we say, the vote going to Loaded Gun.
Wind Chime (IRE) 7-1 Held up, chased leaders 2f out, led 1f out, headed and outpaced final 75 yards, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Margery Daw at Lingfield 1m 2f app stk (H5) pol in Jan.
Loaded Gun 7-1 Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (H5) pol beating Stellite by a shd, 13 ran.
Pharoah's Gold (IRE) 9-2 Dwelt, held up, headway over 3f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Pawn In Life at Southwell 1m clm (F4) fbs.
Warlingham (IRE) 10-1 Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 13, nk behind Loaded Gun at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (H5) pol.
Arogant Prince 25-1 Towards rear, ridden and headway well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Stella Marais at W'hampton 7f hcp (F4) pol.
Megabond 20-1 Raced wide, mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 9l behind Constable Burton at Southwell 1m sll (G4) fbs in Nov.
Mr Bountiful (IRE) 8-1 Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 3l behind Sedge at W'hampton 7f hcp (F4) pol.