tracked leader, ridden 2f out, carried right 1f out, stayed on
raced wide, soon in touch, ridden 2f out, held when hampered 1f out
tracked leader, ridden and kept on same pace from over 1f out
slowly away, pulled hard in rear, never a factor
led, ridden 2f out, hung right 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
hampered start, snatched up and droped to rear, headway on inside over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on near finish
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in rear, never a factor
held up, good headway on outer 2f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
WITHNAIL is fancied to steal the limelight from Guildenstern and Kheley. The latter represents a yard that does well here and is partnered by an up and coming apprentice which looks significant. Kheley has finished in the money on six of her ten starts at this track so is clearly well suited by the demands of Dunstall Park and is on a winning mark so everything looks to be in place for a big run. Guildenstern hails from a yard that has enjoyed a decent winter and the experienced campaigner got his name on the scoresheet when winning at Kempton on his penultimate start. He's equally effective at this venue and remains on a competitive mark so should have a say in the outcome. However, we prefer the claims of Stef Liddiard's runner who was a market mover prior to his debut for the yard at the start of the month. He had more in front of him than behind when they passed the line on that occasion but his performance was far better than the bare facts suggest and Withnail can take centre stage and make amends.
Bentley 16-1 (9-6) Chased leader until ridden inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Titus Gent (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f sell stks (6) pol.
Athaakeel (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 8, 7l behind Cobo Bay (10-0) at Wolverhampton 7f clm stks (6) pol.
Kheley (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, bumped 1f out, kept on, 5th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Lujiana (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Rabbit Fighter (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Slowly away, in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Ridley Didley (8-3) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Smirfys Systems 8-1 (9-4) Prominent, hard ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 10l behind White Shift (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Guildenstern (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Always in rear, never a factor, 7th of 9, 17l behind Resplendent Nova (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
Sills Vincero 40-1 (9-0) Mid-division, not trouble leaders, 8th of 13, 7l behind Lujiana (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Withnail (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 11, 3l behind Cheery Cat (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Equinity 16-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, always behind, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Sherjawy (8-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Cheery Cat (USA) 12-1 (8-11) Chased leading trio, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol beating Dream Express (8-11) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Only A Game (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Pushed along in rear of main group, ridden over 2f out, never nearer, 5th of 7, 10l behind Novay Essjay (8-5) at Southwell 6f clm stks 0-70 (6) fbs.
Suhayl Star (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Broke well, tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 5l behind Copperwood (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Ride A White Swan 13-2 (9-3) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway on inside when not clearest of runs over 1f out, kidded along and ran on well inside final furlong to join leader post, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol deadheating with Metropolitan Chief (8-12), 12 ran.