in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, every chance 1f out, one pace
led after 1f, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out and weakened
held up, headway on inside over 1f out, soon led and ran on, driven out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
led, headed after 1f out, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, ran on
slowly into stride, ran wide entering straight and some late headway
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon held
keen and soon in touch, ridden and weakened 1f out
in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up, ridden and some progress over 1f out, never dangerous
ARDENT PRINCE looks the percentage call in this handicap and he is put forward to beat Nabeeda and Guildenstern. The selection ended a long losing sequence when he won here last time out. A change of tactics seemed to work the oracle for him that day so he could be capable of going on from that, and a 6lbs penalty may not be enough to stop him. Nabeeba wasn't beaten far at Southwell on Tuesday when he finished third behind Head To Head. He raced a little too keenly that day so if he can settle better tonight he could be a major player. Guildenstern has a fair draw and this course and distance winner is more than capable of getting competitive. He wasn't beaten far at Kempton last time when he showed enough to suggest that his turn would not be far away. Reg Hollinshead has his string in really good form at present so All You Need could go well at a price. However, Ardent Prince looks to have sound claims and he is put forward as the pick.
Ardent Prince 17-2 (8-9) Towards rear headway over 3f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol beating Bailieborough (9-0) by a hd, 13 ran.
Nabeeda 4-1 (8-7) Close up and keen, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Head To Head (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs.
Guildenstern (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up, not clear run 2f out, good headway when clear over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, ridden out, won at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol beating Fun In The Sun (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Franksalot (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Behind, soon outpaced, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 9l behind Too Grand (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Victory Spirit 10-1 (8-11) Led early, tracked leader and keen, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 8l behind Ardent Prince (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Aggbag 8-1 (8-6) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 5l behind Safebreaker (8-9) at Great Leighs 1m hcap (6) pol.
Stargazy 11-1 (8-5) Held up behind, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 5l behind Downhill Skier (9-0) at W'hampton 7f app hcp (6) pol.
All You Need (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, came wide straight, hung left from over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 13, 9l behind Moment of Clarity (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Semah Harold 9-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway 2f out, one pace, 5th of 13, 8l behind Giddywell (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Kabis Amigos 22-1 (8-9) Dwelt, held up, headway when not clear run over 2f out and over 1f out, soon switched left, every chance well inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 9, shd behind Silver Wind (9-7) at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol.
Fish Called Johnny 40-1 (9-4) Behind and pushed along, never on terms, 8th of 10, 11l behind Vogarth (9-11) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs.
Elkhart Lake (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Stargazy (8-7) at W'hampton 7f app stk (7) pol.