mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out, soon in rear
steadied start, headway well over 1f out, edged right 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd final stride
started slowly, towards rear, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong but never dangerous
raced keenly early, tracked leaders, chased winner over 1f out, edged left and lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on to regain 2nd post
held up, some headway inside final 2f, no impression 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on gamely, ridden out
slowly into stride, took keen hold, behind, headway over 5f out on outer, soon ridden, weakened over 3f out
held up, ridden along over 3f out, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, not trouble leaders
led until headed over 2f out, kept on under pressure until weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
This looks an interesting claimer on paper where, despite lack of recent action, WESTERN ART should be the one to beat while rivals Obe Royal and Cap St Jean will have to improve to challenge. With a mark of 100 the pick is rated 29lbs better than his nearest rival and that looks about right based on the form from his penultimate start where he was a winner of a listed contest over the minimum trip. A few things to be concerned about would be his reappearance at this level after over 300 days off, the fact he didn't go well fresh last time and this is also his first outing on the polytrack. However if he's retained a modicum of his previous ability he should have enough. Obe Royal will be the one looking to take advantage if the selection is a mere shadow of his former self. Dane O'Neill's mount has been running well since scoring in a handicap last month and has landed a couple of these in the mean time. Cap St Jean has lost out twice in the last three starts to Obe Royal, both on fibresand but could fair better now on the polytrack; a surface he won on at Kempton on his penultimate run. It's a race that revolves around how much ability remains in Western Art but only a little would do.
Western Art (USA) 25-1 (9-4) Always behind, 8th of 9, 21l behind Calming Influence (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 3yo lst stk (1) frm in May.
Rubenstar (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Held up behind, headway over 3f out, not clear run over 2f out, stayed on one pace from over 1f out, 7th of 11, 8l behind Mr Macattack (9-10) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Cap St Jean (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Slowly away, pushed along halfway, headway approaching final furlong, ran on to snatch 2nd post, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Obe Royal (10-1) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs.
Obe Royal 10-3 (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway on outside to track leader 4f out, ridden 2f out, soon every chance, driven and outpaced by winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Desert Dreamer (9-3) at Lingfield 7f sll (6) pol.
Valentino Swing (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Held up, headway on inside over 1f out, short lived, last of 10, 14l behind Cap St Jean (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
The London Gang 33-1 (8-3) Very slowly into stride, raced wide, headway 4f out, ridden over 3f out, soon held, 12th of 13, 13l behind Straight Face (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Mickys Mate 100-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 26l behind Singleb (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Almora Guru 14-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, faded, 5th of 12, 12l behind Amber Moon (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Cyfrwys (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Anticipated start, took keen hold, always in rear after, not able to recover, 11th of 12, 9l behind Sharps Gold (9-4) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb.
Ten Pole Tudor 20-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 14, 15l behind Suhayl Star (8-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Beckenham's Secret 15-2 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, faded, 5th of 12, 3l behind Sharps Gold (9-4) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb.
