held up in touch, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well
led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra entering final furlong
held up, mid-division, no impression from over 1f out
held up, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up in rear and keen, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, kept on entering final furlong, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
prominent, no extra inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
promient, weakened over 2f out
held up mid-division stayed on final furlong
tracked leader, weakened inside final furlong
A number of in form performers make for competitive fare and ELLA WOODCOCK can take this race at the principal expense of Desert Vision and Follow The Sun. The gelding has shown decent form in the past when trained by Jamie Osborne but looked back to his best when accounting for Desert Vision last time out. Kelly Harrison is riding well at present and is able to claim 3lbs. Desert Vision was favourite to land his hattrick on that day. Phillip Makin provides the likelihood of stronger handling than the apprentice he replaces. Follow The Sun appears to have become much more consistent for the application of cheekpieces. He should have won more than just his single victory and if fit enough on reappearance, has a shout. Star Strider ran on well over seven furlongs at Kempton and now attempts the repeat going the other way around and over two extra furlongs. King Of Connacht won a 0-60 race in good style. He is likeable though vulnerable when taking on better opposition. McMurdo Sound makes his handicap debut whilst Kirstys Lad is likely to make the early running. Networker and Mullitovermaurice are returnees from layoffs so the market is watched. Ella Woodcock secures a narrow verdict having considered the alternatives.
Desert Vision Evensfav (9-5) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, pushed along over 1f out, headed final strides, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Ella Woodcock (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Networker 11-4 (8-13) Bumped start, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Xpres Maite (9-4) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Ella Woodcock (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway, switched right entering final furlong, ran on strongly to lead final strides, won going away, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Desert Vision (9-5) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Mullitovermaurice 11-2 (8-11) Always rear division, 6th of 7, 19l behind Miss Christophene (8-10) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Feb.
Star Strider 11-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, keen, mid-division, smooth headway from 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov beating Talamahana (8-2) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Matjar (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching straight, headway to dispute lead briefly 2f out, 3rd and no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Rambling Dancer (9-2) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
King of Connacht 7-1 (9-2) Held up, headway and squeezed through between horses over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Grey Command (8-11) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Coughlans Locke (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Mid-division, no impression straight, 12th of 15, 10l behind Atlas Peak (8-11) at Cork 1m stks in Aug.
Follow The Sun (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway 8f out, soon chasing leaders, one pace 2f out, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Park's Prodigy (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Spring Hawk (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) Towards rear, switched to outer and ridden in moderate 7th over 1f out, stayed on well without threatening final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Little Bug (9-7) at Dundalk 1m Handicap (47-65) (3yo) pol in Nov.
Kirstys Lad 14-1 (8-6) Led after 1f, ridden 2f out, hung right, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Coolnaharan (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
McMurdo Sound (IRE) 50-1 (9-12) Slowly away and towards rear on outer, some headway from 4f out, moderate 8th entering straight, kept on one pace, 7th of 11, 24l behind Tilabay (9-12) at Wexford 1m 4f mdn stks in Aug.
