slowly into stride, soon tracking leader, ridden and lost place 2f out
in touch, ridden and weakened 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, hard ridden and fading when headed line
always in the rear
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened
towards rear, headway to track leaders 6f out, ridden 2f out and one pace
mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, close up when heading left under pressure, close home
held up, strong run when switching right over 1f out, kept on to lead line
held up, brief effort 2f out, plugged on
Nonrunner
AHLAWY is in cracking form and can complete a hat-trick here at the main expense of Scarab. This is by no means a done deal, given that Ahlawy is unproven over the trip. However, Frank Sheridan's gelding acts well here, he looks to be ahead of the handicapper judged on his latest start, and with Arc winner Alleged on his dam's side of the pedigree we hope that he can see out the 12 furlongs. One who will definitely do that is Scarab. Mark Johnston's runner is also unexposed over the trip and being lightly raced there is probably more improvement to come. Up 5lbs for winning at Kempton last time he is entitled to go close. Profit's Reality has never won on an artificial surface but is 5lbs better off with Scarab for two lengths last time and has won off higher marks on turf, so on that basis he has claims. Heathyards Pride looks in need of a favour from the assessor, and to a lesser extent we can say the same of Great Leighs winner Lapina. Wild Desert is open to plenty of improvement and market support would be interesting, while Flying Squad is hard to fancy on his latest start. Ahlawy is the one for us.
Flying Squad (UAE) 16-1 (9-9) Started slowly, soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, no chance when eased final furlong, 7th of 9, 19l behind Wine 'n Dine (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Profit's Reality (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden and good late progress to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Scarab (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Heathyards Pride 4-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, slightly hampered approaching 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Cape Express (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Quam Celerrime 100-1 (8-9) Struggling from halfway, last of 12, well behind Mondovino (9-0) at Toulouse 1m 4f hvy in Dec.
Wild Desert (FR) 18-1 (9-4) Behind most of way, 14th of 15, 21l behind Dar Es Salaam (8-9) at Newbury 1m 2f hcap (4) gd in Sept.
Friends Hope 14-1 (9-4) Dwelt, in touch, ridden over 2f out, driven, one pace final furlong, 5th of 6, 4l behind Mozayada (9-4) at Southwell 1m fll hcp (4) fbs.
Ahlawy (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Will He Wish (9-5) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Transvestite (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Mid-division until weakened over 3f out, soon well behind, last of 16, 21l behind Aypeeyes (10-9) at Newbury 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Lapina (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Dishdasha (8-11) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Scarab (IRE) 7-4fav (8-11) Tracked leaders throughout, led approaching 1f out, ridden clear, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Spirit of Adjisa (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
