held up towards rear, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
raced wide, tracked leaders, pushed along over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, quickened clear(race was run in poor visibility)
raced wide, in touch, pushed along 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, pushed along 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
dwelt, raced wide always in rear
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong
soon led, pushed along 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
in touch, pushed along over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened over 1f out
in touch, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong
The progressive ALAFDHAL (NAP) has won four of his last five outings with last month’s success at Chelmsford his most convincing so far. He can defy a hike in the weights. Libra Tiger opened his account with a victory at Kempton while El Hombre went close again at Lingfield having won his penultimate start with Porfin back in third. Beauzon is another recent winner but Araifjan has a bit to find with the selection.
Muscika 28-1 (9-2) Led until inside final 2f, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Adeb (9-2) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Sarah's Verse 22-1 (9-9) Off the pace in last pair, ridden and beaten inside final 2f, never on terms, 5th of 6, 8l behind Rattling (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp fll (4) pol in Dec.
Porfin (IRE) 3-1 (9-10) In rear, pushed along over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 7, 2l behind El Hombre (9-7) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Alafdhal (IRE) 9-4fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, switched right over 1f out, soon joined leader, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, quickened clear, won at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Araifjan (9-11) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
El Hombre 5-2 (9-7) Held up in last pair, headway out wide chasing leaders halfway, pushed along over 2f out, ran on well towards finish, just held, 2nd of 6, hd behind Bare Necessity (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Libra Tiger 11-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on well, led towards finish, won at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Bezzas Lad (9-1) by nk, 9 ran.
Mustaffiz 125-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, never a factor, 13th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Justcallmepete (9-5) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Araifjan 14-1 (9-6) Off the pace in last pair, headway over 1f out, not clear run and switched right inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Angle Land (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Rebel Redemption 28-1 (9-3) Led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, soon weakened and eased final 100 yards, 9th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Rattling (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Beauzon 13-2 (9-9) Towards rear, switched right 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Show Me A Sunset (9-11) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Starjik 40-1 (9-5) Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 12, 28l behind Mighty Power (9-8) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Kodi Gold (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Slowly away, soon prominent, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Rebel Redemption (9-1) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.