mid-division, headway under pressure to chase clear clear leaders over 1f out, ran on well on outside final 75 yards, finished strongly, led near finish
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, never threatened clear leaders, weakened inside final furlong
pressed leader on inside, ridden over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, held near finish
pressed leaders on outside, driven over 2f out, ridden 1f out, led narrowly and edged right inside final furlong, kept on, headed near finish
led narrowly, ridden 1f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on, held near finish
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, never troubled clear leaders
never better than mid-division, lost place over 2f out, soon behind
slowly into stride, behind, struggling in rear over 3f out, tailed off 2f out
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, never on terms, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Captivated was placed at Kempton in October and returns to action along with Karibana, who placed in all three starts last year though drops down in trip for this. Both are preferred to Aweemaweh but NEVER DARK has the more recent form having finished in front of a subsequent winner when runner-up over course and distance last month - Andrew Balding’s colt looks the one to side with today. Meraas and Joyfilly are newcomers to note with the latter preferred representing an in-form yard.
Aweemaweh (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, niggled along over 2f out, pushed along over 1f out, no real progress final furlong, 7th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Brad The Brief (9-5) at Bath 5f mdn stks (5) gd in Aug.
Gherkin 28-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 14 1/4l behind Dancing Feet (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f stks (6) pol in Feb.
Karibana (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, always just held, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Animal Instinct (9-2) at Chelmsford City 7f stks (4) pol in Oct.
Meraas Oasis Dream colt out of Rehn's Nest.
Never Dark 9-4fav (8-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, kept on, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Mount Mogan (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Eye Smiling (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Led early, tracked leader and 3rd halfway, pushed along early straight and no impression in 5th 1f out, no extra, 5th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Miss Myers (8-10) at Limerick 7f mdn hvy in Oct.
Joyfilly (IRE) Kodiac filly out of Table Bay.
Rosina Rose Heeraat filly out of Aquasulis.
Sepia Belle 20-1 (8-12) Raced wide in touch, pushed along 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Made In Italy (8-12) at Lingfield 1m stks (6) pol in Jan.
Shecandoo Toronado filly out of Donna Giovanna.
Valentine Blues (IRE) Clodovil filly out of Grecian Artisan.
Captivated 3-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Pepper Bay (9-0) at Kempton 6f stks (5) pol in Oct.