tracked leader until well over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up, headway over 4f out, chased leader over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, one pace
held up, headway 4f out, ridden and lost place over 2f out, no danger after
soon led and set fast pace, clear over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra and headed well inside final furlong
held up, driven over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not troubled leaders
raced wide, mid-division, weakened over 2f out
in touch, outpaced and lost place over 3f out, switched left to inside over 1f out, stayed on one pace
mid-division, ridden 3f out, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led early, in touch, lost place 4f out, headway over 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong
Wessex has had a fine spell on the sand of late but gave the impression at Southwell on Tuesday that the handicapper had finally caught up with him and preference is for Northern Desert, who gets the vote ahead of Templet. The last mentioned is a consistent performer and is likely to run his race again but is probably better over further and is passed over today. Uhoomagoo tried his luck in Dubai with no success and is interesting back on dirt, while top weight Oddsmaker comes here fresher than anything else but has no experience of the Polytrack. Soba Jones is capable but has yet to prove his effectiveness over seven furlongs and a bigger threat is likely to come from Xpres Digital. The winner of a claimer at Southwell two starts ago, he too has yet to show his best over seven furlongs but has run well over the trip before and cannot be discounted off his lightweight. The vote though goes to Northern Desert, who gained a well-deserved success at Lingfield in January and has an obvious chance off just a 2lb higher mark today.
Oddsmaker (IRE) 9-1 Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Young Mr Grace at Ayr 1m hcp (C1) sft in Sept.
Uhoomagoo Towards rear; last & ridden straight; kept on final 200m; never troubled leaders, 8th of 14, 6l behind King Jock at Nad Al Sheba 7f hcp gd in Feb.
Northern Desert (IRE) 7-1 Slowly into stride, settled in rear, headway on inner final 2f, ran on, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 5l behind Night Air at Lingfield 1m hcp (D2) pol in Jan.
Folio (IRE) 10-1 In touch, ridden and not quicken over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, ran on towards finish, never nearer, 6th of 12, 2l behind Steely Dan at Lingfield 7f hcp (D2) pol in Feb.
Wessex (USA) 3-1fav Steadied start, switched wide, held up, headway 3f out, kept on but not pace to challenge, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Penwell Hill at Southwell 1m hcp (D2) fbs.
Templet (USA) 11-2 Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Anuvasteel at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (D2) pol in Feb.
Desert Opal 100-1 Always behind, 11th of 12, 30l behind Moayed at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (C1) pol in Jan.
Xpres Digital 9-2fav Chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Zorn at Southwell 6f hcp (E3) fbs in Feb.
Silent Storm 9-1 Tracked winner, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2l behind Roman Quintet at Lingfield 1m stk (E3) pol.
Soba Jones 8-1 Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Xpres Digital at Southwell 6f clm (F4) fbs in Feb.
