made all, broke well, clear over 1f out, easy
in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, no impression
slowly into stride, brief effort over 1f out
tracked leaders throughout, one pace final furlong
tracked winner and keen, weakened approaching final furlong
Nonrunner
Desperate Dan gets the confident vote in this claimer with Doubtful Sound and Compton Classic rating the main dangers. The selection is well clear on official BHA figures, was a fair third behind Fire Up The Band last time out, form that has since been franked and under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Doubtful Sound rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Fire Up The Band but he was behind the selection in that race and there is no reason why he should gain his revenge here. Compton Classic would be better off with the selection if this were a handicap and he will need to improve to win under top weight. The remainder have plenty to find on form and are readily opposed and Desperate Dan looks the one to be on.
Desperate Dan 3-1 (9-6) Chased winner, driven 3f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Fire Up The Band (9-7) at W'hampton 5f clm (6) pol.
Stormburst (IRE) 28-1 (8-4) In touch, not clear run over 1f out, soon one pace, 7th of 13, 11l behind Jun Fan (8-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Lady Hopeful (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Started slowly, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, closed on winner near finish and took 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Montzando (9-0) at W'hampton 5f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Mar.
Many Welcomes 50-1 (9-0) Towards rear, never dangerous, 15th of 16, 43l behind Khazina (9-0) at Pontefract 6f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Barbossa 25-1 (8-12) Pulled hard and held up towards rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 19l behind Copperbottomed (9-4) at Southwell 7f 3yo sll (6) fbs in Mar.
Compton Classic 4-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, no response, last of 7, 13l behind Music Box Express (8-7) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Doubtful Sound (USA) 9-2 (9-0) In rear, ridden along 3f out, good late headway, 4th of 5, 7l behind Fire Up The Band (9-7) at W'hampton 5f clm (6) pol.
