led, ridden over 2f out, headed and not quicken well inside final furlong
prominent, ridden halfway, weakening when not much room over 2f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
held up, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
soon prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace
dwelt, always behind
always towards rear
slowly into stride, always behind
in touch, went 2nd halfway, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
Exit Smiling has leading claims and is taken to see off the challenges of Vancouver Gold, Joe Jo Star and Aswan to name but three. This low grade affair will take little winning, and on the evidence of his latest run, Exit Smiling should make a bold bid. Greg Chung's four-year-old was the only one to make a race of it with the favourite Shadow Jumper here 11 days ago, finishing second, beaten three lengths at the finish. He was giving the favourite five-pounds that day, which made his performance all the more commendable, and it will be disappointing if he cannot go one better. Vancouver Gold has been on the easy list since April, but she won in better company at Southwell last March, having recovered from a cracked knee, and if anywhere near fit, can give the selection most to do. Joe Jo Star scraped home in a banded race here in December but that was over further and he now has to give weight away to our pick, as does Aswan who will do well to hang on if trying to make all as he usually does. Exit Smiling caught the eye last time and we remain loyal to him.
Aswan (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-2) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 24l behind Risk Free (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
Joe Jo Star 17-2 (9-3) Raced wide, held up in rear, shaken up over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 9l behind Ardkeel Lass (8-11) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Distant Country (USA) 6-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden, headway over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 6th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Risk Free (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
Exit Smiling 20-1 (9-2) Behind, switched left and headway over 1f out, ran on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Shadow Jumper (8-11) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol.
Mister Elegant 12-1 (8-13) Chased leader after 1f, led well over 1f out, soon headed, no extra, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Snow Bunting (9-0) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Savoy Chapel 10-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 12l behind Samuel Charles (8-13) at W'hampton 7f app hcp (6) std.
Wilford Maverick (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind Legacy (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f app banded (7) pol.
Vancouver Gold (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden and weakened quickly 2f out, last of 16, 36l behind Sabbiosa (8-8) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.