mid-division, progress to chase leaders over 1f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside well over 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead last strides
slowly into stride, soon driven to chase leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway on inside approaching final furlong, stayed on strongly
always prominent, led halfway, challenged over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong
slowly away, never dangerous
led, headed halfway, remained prominent, weakened 1f out
mid-division, effort 2f out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, hard driven to challenge 2f out, weakened final furlong
always behind
held up in rear, never dangerous
Thebes is the second runner on the card attempting to follow up a success from 12 months ago and he must be feared but we're going to concentrate on TIDDLIWINKS and Fathsta with the former preferred. It's usually worth following Kevin Ryan's runners in the first few months of the year and his strike rate has only just dipped below one in four since the turn of the year. Tiddliwinks has progressed in leaps and bounds through the course of the winter rising 26lbs in the process and gets the vote despite struggling to make an impression when last seen at the end of January as he's been freshened up by a short break and drops back to his optimum trip. Thebes has won almost half of his starts on the all-weather but his record suggests that he's an all or nothing character as he's only made the frame on one other occasion. He's only 3lbs higher than when successful a year ago and is respected. Fathsta is one of several with live claims in an open race but he makes the short-list courtesy of his track form and decent mark although he will always need luck in running granted his style of racing whereas Tiddliwinks looks good enough to make his own luck.
Five Star Junior (USA) 16-1 (8-8) 6th of 12, 4l behind Global City (8-11) at Meydan(UAE) 6f hcp (0-110) in Feb.
Tiddliwinks 2-1fav (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened towards finish, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind The Scorching Wind (8-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Dubai Dynamo 18-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, edged left and went 2nd over 2f out, led just over 1f out, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Ishiadancer (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ebraam (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Short of room soon after start and dropped to rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, final 2f, 7th of 8, 9l behind Jaconet (8-12) at Lingfield 6f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) pol in Feb.
Thebes 11-2 (9-2) Chased leader, led 2f out, hung left over 1f out, ridden and hung right inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb beating Onceaponatime (8-4) by nk, 8 ran.
Tourist 12-1 (8-9) Keen and tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on, not pace to challenge, 4th of 6, 1 3/4l behind Mahadee (9-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Prime Exhibit 7-1 (8-13) Led, headed over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Prince Of Dance (9-2) at Salisbury 1m hcp 105 (2) sft in Oct.
Ingleby Arch (USA) 7-1 (9-1) Dwelt, in touch in last pair, pushed along on outside halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 11l behind Bel Cantor (8-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Feb.
Bajan Tryst (USA) 5-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Flipando (8-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Orpenindeed (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Led, steady pace, hard driven over 1f out, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Elna Bright (9-5) at Kempton 6f cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol in Jan.
Northern Dare (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Always behind, 16th of 20, 6l behind Quest For Success (8-10) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Fathsta (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Keen hold, tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, never on terms, 4th of 5, 4l behind Elna Bright (9-5) at Kempton 6f cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol in Jan.
Confuchias (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Awkward start, soon held up in mid-division, ridden when slightly hampered just over 2f out, headway over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Dingaan (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
