dwelt, soon in touch, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
chased leader, led 2f out, hung left over 1f out, ridden and hung right inside final furlong, ran on
led until 2f out, weakened 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace and held when hampered inside final furlong, soon no extra
took keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden and headway on wide outside over 1f out, ran on, not reached leaders
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden and came wide straight, never a factor
chased leaders, chased winner over 1f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, just held
This looks a golden opportunity for ROCKET ROB and Marco Botti's four-year-old is taken to get the better of New Leyf and Onceaponatime. It was a sound effort from our selection last time to chase home Nickel Silver at Kempton and his record of three wins from seven starts on the all-weather reads well in the context of this race. He has a good draw and he rates as the one to beat. New Leyf looks the biggest danger as he won at Kempton earlier in the month and Jeremy Gask's stable are in decent form at present, so he merits respect. Onceaponatime chased home Elna Bright last month and he looks to be on a fair enough mark at present. He can go well, as can Flowing Cape who was a dual winner here at this time last year. There could be more to come from Rocket Rob and he gets our vote.
Flowing Cape (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Always behind, 8th of 9, 11l behind Flipando (8-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Dubai Dynamo 22-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, pushed along in rear, never on terms, 5th of 6, 11l behind Harlech Castle (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp (0-90) (3) fbs.
Thebes 9-2 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened 2f out, 6th of 9, 8l behind Flipando (8-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Billy Red 9-2 (9-3) Made all, strongly challenged over 1f out, hard ridden, held on gamely, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Halsion Chancer (8-10) by hd, 7 ran.
Rocket Rob (IRE) 15-8fav (8-11) Chased clear leading pair, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd final stride, not reached winner, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Nickel Silver (9-4) at Kempton 5f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jan.
New Leyf (IRE) 2-1fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating Jake The Snake (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Methaaly (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Awkward start, mostly chased winner until just over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Sutton Veny (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Onceaponatime (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Chased leaders on inside, driven to challenge well over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Bel Cantor (8-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Orpenindeed (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Led, steady pace, hard driven over 1f out, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Elna Bright (9-5) at Kempton 6f 4yo stk (2) pol in Jan.
Beckermet (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 1f out, weakening when short of room entering final furlong, last of 5, 3 1/2l behind Everymanforhimself (9-3) at Lingfield 7f cnd stks (4yo+) (3) pol.
