prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakend over 1f out
held up, ridden 1f out, never dangerous
prominent, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
in rear, headway final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, headway 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along halfway, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
soon towards rear, headway under pressure under 1f out, not clear run briefly inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, took 3rd post
mid-division, took keen hold, pushed along halfway, not clear run on inside over 2f out, headway 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
not much room soon after start, mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong
chased leader until ridden well over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
Nonrunner
WILTSHIRE rates a sporting pick in the finale with Elkhorn and Smirfy's Systems the other runners of note. Granted, our selection does have a bit to find on recent formbook evidence but with Paul Midgeley's runners coming back to some sort of form and cheekpieces replacing the blinkers, we are prepared to take our chances at the likely odds. Elkhorn is perfectly capable of landing an event of this nature but has been given a dreadful draw to work from. Smirfys Systems has shaped relatively well of late. He maintains a degree of ability despite advancing years. Wynberg was well backed on reappearance. He is not adverse to flashes of recalcitrance. Welcome Approach has gone well when fresh in the past so his latest effort has to count as something of a disappointment. Gower was a useful sort when trained by Roger Charlton but he looks on the downgrade nowadays. Splash The Cash bids to get Amy Ryan's career as an apprentice off to a dream start. Fantasy Fighter appears to be best of the rest. A race where plenty can be given chances so we take Wiltshire as o ur pick at the likely odds.
Gower 7-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, mainly always towards rear, 9th of 10, 15l behind Tyrannosaurus Rex (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Elkhorn 15-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, hung left over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Under Warranty (9-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Smirfys Systems 15-2 (11-0) Prominent, led well over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Muktasb (11-4) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Valentino Swing (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on, 4th of 11, 2l behind Downhill Skier (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Wiltshire (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Soon prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 7l behind Under Warranty (9-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Welcome Approach 8-1 (9-3) Held up, ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 5th of 9, 5l behind Under Warranty (9-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Splash The Cash 11-2 (8-11) Keen mid-division, effort approaching final furlong, soon one pace, 5th of 9, 4l behind Divertimenti (9-5) at Lingfield 7f app hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Imperial Djay (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, outpaced from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 9l behind Spiritual Healing (8-7) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs.
Wynberg (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Raced wide, mid-division, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Hollow Jo (9-5) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol.
Fantasy Fighter (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Soon towards rear, raced wide, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 7l behind Kingsmaite (10-11) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Westwood Dawn 20-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind, headway on inner over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, one pace, 5th of 12, 4l behind Sarah's Art (9-1) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Minwir (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Held up, pushed along 3f out, never a factor, 8th of 11, 8l behind General Feeling (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Trinculo (IRE) 18-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, ridden halfway, weakened and hung left from well over 2f out, 8th of 9, 10l behind Punching (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
