led, ridden over 1f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, effort on inside over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on, driven out
held up towards rear, never on terms
always towards rear, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden to press leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch in 5th, effort 2f out, soon ridden, weakened approaching final furlong
towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 4th towards finish, not pace of leading trio
chased leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
steadied start, took keen hold in last pair, never a factor
Last season's C&D winners Johnno and Haaf A Sixpence make their seasonal and handicap debuts and any strong support in the betting for either could prove significant. Speedy Yaki has got his act together this year and went close to landing his third win over C&D last time. He's preferred to the improving Homeward Strut, while Alkadi came up short on her handicap debut at Musselburgh last week but is open to further progress. The same comment applies to BINT ALZAIN, who was beaten a length on her handicap bow last month having won her maiden at this track and Gerard Butler's filly gets the call returning to this course.
Johnno 3-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, led 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct beating Andalieb (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Stellar Express (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Soon led, clear over 6f out until ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 7, 10l behind Come On Blue Chip (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Haaf A Sixpence 8-13fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Fistful of Dollars (9-0) by 1l, 12 ran.
Speedy Yaki (IRE) 5-2 (9-6) Held up, headway on inside well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Homeward Strut (8-2) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Silvas Romana (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and no impression final 2f, 8th of 17, 9l behind Royal Reyah (8-13) at Doncaster 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Nov.
Bint Alzain (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Lionrock (9-4) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Alkadi (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on to chase winner towards finish, always held, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Joshua The First (9-2) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Raffinn 7-1 (9-0) Led early, chased leader until over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 14l behind Right Result (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Oct.
Homeward Strut 11-2 (8-2) Keen tracked leaders, switched right 1f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Kickingthelilly (9-6) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Purley Queen (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, plugged on inside final furlong, never threatened, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Elegant Flight (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
