chased leaders, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, every chance over 1f out, kept on
led, headed over 3f out, not much room over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, switched right and not much room over 3f out, ridden and not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon switched right, kept on
slowly into stride, in rear, headway on outer over 1f out, kept on
MILNE BAY looks the best bet on the card in this handicap; Sendreni and Whitbarrow appeal most of the others. The selection arrives here in great form and he was good value for his winning margin at Great Leighs last time. He appears to be one step ahead of the handicapper and from a good draw he can defy a penalty to score again. Sendreni finished well behind our selection last time out and although he is entitled to get closer today, it would take a leap of faith to believe that he can reverse the form. Whitbarrow will be suited by the drop in trip but he hasn't got his head in front for well over a year and the percentage call would be to take him on. Romantic Verse was a bit disappointing last time, but the race has worked out well and she looks one of the likelier types here. It is hard to see past Milne Bay who is confident pick.
Whitbarrow (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Led, headed well over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Tri Chara (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
A Big Sky Brewing (USA) 9-1 (8-12) Soon led, headed over 5f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Balata (8-13) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Orpen's Art (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, 17th of 19, 26l behind Fairy Flow (8-0) at Navan 5f app hcp 0-80 hvy in Oct.
Milne Bay (IRE) 10-11fav (8-5) Made all, clear well over 1f out, comfortably, won at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Elusive Hawk (9-0) by 5l, 5 ran.
Romantic Verse 16-1 (9-2) In touch, hung left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Balata (8-13) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Salt of The Earth (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Tracked leader on outer to just over 2f out, wide bend and soon ridden, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 6, 3l behind Bavarica (8-2) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (5) pol.
Inside Story (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Mid-division, took closer order 4f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 2l behind Marmooq (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Dark Tara 33-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 8l behind River Kirov (9-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Sendreni (FR) 2-1 (8-13) Tracked winner, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Milne Bay (8-5) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.