behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway to go second 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed post
in touch, switched right and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
prominent and keen, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders
led, clear over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead post
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
Cherished Number can keep up his winning run, with Fraternity, Jools and Zafarshah all expected to play a leading part in proceedings. Cherished Number just does enough and has won each of his last three starts by a whisker. His handicap mark has only crept up six-pounds during his run and Ian Semple's six-year-old, who has been a revelation since being switched to the Polytrack, also has the draw in his favour this time. He can see off the challenge of Fraternity, who himself has enjoyed a purple patch on the all-weather this winter. Jockey Russell Kennemore dropped his whip close home last time at Southwell, but he still looked held by Augustine, and as he has gone up around two-stone during his winning run, he may be coming to the end of his improvement. If he tries to lead, he will be there to be picked off by the selection. Of the rest, Jools was putting in all his best work at the end of seven furlongs here last week and can be considered for a place, while Zafarshah was only third in a seller last time. Robbie Can Can is useful but has been off for 12 months. He has gone well fresh in the past though, so do not rule out a big run, but we much prefer the claims of the in-form Cherished Number in the finale.
Robbie Can Can 12-1 Behind, headway over 3f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 22, hd behind Middlethorpe at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp 0-80 (E) gd.
Cherished Number 11-2 Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon hung left, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (E3) pol in Feb beating Milady's Pride by a nk, 13 ran.
Jools 10-1 Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd close home, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Soviet Threat at W'hampton 7f hcp (E3) pol.
Tokewanna 5-1 Pulled hard, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, hampered over 1f out, kept on, 5th of 12, 2l behind Molinia at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (E4) pol.
Zafarshah (IRE) 3-1 Held up, ridden and headway 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Bella Pavlina at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (G4) pol.
Bond Millennium 20-1 Behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 9th of 12, 7l behind Barzak at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (E3) pol in Feb.
Fraternity 11-4fav Led, ridden and edged right final furlong, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Augustine at Southwell 1m app hcp (F4) fbs.
Garnock Venture (IRE) 5-1 Slowly into stride, headway on inside 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Rocky Reppin at Southwell 7f sll (G4) fbs in Feb.
