in touch, ridden and headway when hung left over 1f out, led last strides
outpaced towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
fly leapt start, in rear and outpaced, never dangerous
led, ridden well over 1f out, headed last strides
chased leader, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
Vlasta Weiner can beat Blythe Spirit, with Lady Hopeful best of the rest. All Vlasta Weiner's five career victories have come on the all-weather, and he caught the eye in defeat at Kempton just five days ago, showing signs of a return to the winner's enclosure. There is nothing amongst today's opposition to be worried about, and so if Milton Bradley's charge runs up to his mark, it is hard to see him failing. It is over two years since Blythe Spirit last won, but he has been successful twice at Wolverhampton and is well treated on his old form, so has to be given a mention. Lady Hopeful hails from a stable that is ticking over nicely at present and is also a past winner round here, while Alistair John was a big-priced winner in a very poor maiden here in October, but has done absolutely nothing since. Vlasta Weiner does have topweight to overcome, but apart from that it is hard to escape his claims.
Vlasta Weiner 25-1 (8-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, chased winner and no impression, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Kempsey (8-9) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Alistair John 6-1 (9-3) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 12l behind Siraj (9-0) at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Nov.
Blythe Spirit 9-2 (9-1) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, no extra inside, 6th of 10, 4l behind Ace Club (8-12) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Lady Hopeful (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, towards rear, some late progress, 8th of 12, 5l behind Rowe Park (9-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Oceanico Dot Com (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Raced centre, always towards rear, 16th of 17, 20l behind Compton Classic (8-8) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Sept.
Compton Micky 33-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 13, 4l behind Massey (8-12) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Jazz At The Sands (USA) 33-1 (7-12) In touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 7l behind Cree (8-7) at Lingfield 6f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Town House 40-1 (8-0) With leaders and keen, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 5l behind Henry Hall (9-4) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Saintly Place 33-1 (8-0) Towards rear, some late headway final furlong, never nearer, 9th of 15, 5l behind Endless Summer (8-8) at Sandown 5f clm (5) gs in Sept.
Blushing Russian (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 13l behind Time To Regret (9-0) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol.