held up, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace
behind final 4f
dwelt, behind, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on, not trouble winner
in touch, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden out
slow into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
prominent for 3f
keen hold, prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, n.ner
slow into stride, always behind
towards rear, headway over 5f out, hard ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened 3f out
towards rear, headway 5f out, ridden over 2f out, beaten when not much room 1f out
prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
A competitive heat with a number of in-form performers bidding to follow-up. Scented Air looks potentially well-treated in relation to her hurdles form. She has been penalised for a recent win in a weak mares race and will need to find more now that she takes on the boys. Prideway has to be respected on the way she slammed Miss Glory Be over a mile. That said, she is not the most consistent performer and never looked like following up at Southwell last time out. Spanish Star invariably threatens to pop up in a race like this. He gets on well with this rider but looks just about held by the handicapper at present. The combination of Ian Wood and Tom Best teamed up to win a similar event at Lingfield and Most Saucy, who finally got his head up at Lingfield after a series of near-misses, is selected. He seems to handle all three all-weather tracks and if he is kept close to the pace (he was well outpaced on a previous visit), he has to take the beating. Any money for Direct Reaction would be interesting. He used to race in Dubai over this trip and is very well in on his old BHB mark. Gaye Kelleway's team are in good form at the moment and there could be an improvement now that nine furlongs is tried.