slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, hampered well over 3f out, headway final furlong, never dangerous
led, headed over 7f out, led again over 6f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
lost place over 6f out, behind when bumped well over 3f out
slowly into stride, mid-division when hampered over 6f out, not clear run and hampered over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never near leaders
raced keenly, led over 7f until over 6f out, weakened 2f out
always behind
held up, headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
bumped well over 3f out, always behind
reminders soon after start, headway to chase leaders well over 7f out, ridden over 3f out, soon no impression
mid-division, no headway final 3f
chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
The vote here goes to Golden Spectrum ahead of Harare and Spark Up. Harare's first run from his revised mark last time was fair and we do not rule out a good run. Although five pounds higher than for his December course and distance win, Golden Spectrum has run well from higher marks than that and, holding a liking for this surface, he gets plenty of respect today. Spark Up has been pretty consistent of late from around today's mark and gets a solid mention, while Green Pirate, who is also running consistently, is arguably held by the selection based on December course and distance form. Burnley Al suggested that he is on the way back last time and, if so, a good run cannot be ruled out, and he is closely weighted with Cabourg based on December course and distance form. Overall, though, the selection is Golden Spectrum.
Harare 14-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 2l behind Kilimandscharo (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Golden Spectrum (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Led, headed 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 12l behind Wodhill Gold (8-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Spark Up 7-4fav (8-7) Chased leaders, led 3f out, headed and no extra final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Bold Diktator (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Going Skint 4-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Ragad (9-3) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Dec.
Green Pirate 5-2fav (8-2) Held up, not clear run over 2f out, switched right well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, shd behind Haroldini (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Cabourg (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) With leader, led 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Scamperdale (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Prince Vettori 3-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Ciccone (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Norwegian 12-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Bathwick Emma (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
