chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, faded
held up in touch, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
prominent, ridden and hung left over 1f out, soon one pace
not much room soon after start, held up, came wide entering straight, never dangerous
chased leader, led inside final furlong, soon headed, not quicken
slowly into stride, always in rear
mid-division, pushed along halfway, kept on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, kept on
We like the look of Nigella who is preferred to Stolt and Financial Times. Ed McMahon has won with his last two runners and his Band On The Run filly can complete a hat-trick for the Staffordshire trainer this evening. She scored over course and distance in 2005 before giving her connections a bumper payday when finishing second in the Super Sprint on her next start. She struggled in pattern company and consequently in handicaps but is down to a realistic mark now and is sure to come on for last month's reappearance. It looks significant that she remains in training and she's presumably deemed capable of adding to her maiden success. Financial Times is banker material for the placepot but struggles to win whilst Almaty Express is too high in the weights now. Harry Up is struggling to get his head in front where it matters at the moment but Stolt looks capable of running a big race. However, we'll take Nigella to serve it up to her rivals tonight.
Financial Times (USA) 6-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, effort over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 1 1/2l behind Northern Empire (9-4) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Harry Up 7-2 (9-3) Pressed leader, ridden and no impression over 1f out, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Fromsong (8-7) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Distant Sun (USA) 14-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on all out to lead line, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating Memphis Man (8-8) by a shd, 6 ran.
Stolt (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Drifting Gold (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Almaty Express 7-4fav (8-12) Led, ridden over 1f out, edging right when headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Drifting Gold (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Nigella 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 7l behind Fromsong (8-7) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Baileys Outshine 9-1 (9-1) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression, last of 8, 6l behind Buxton (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Desert Opal 8-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 8l behind Bo McGinty (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Sands Crooner (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, last of 6, 7l behind Fromsong (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.