mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, one pace
went right start, held up, ridden, some headway on outside 4f out, held over 1f out and hung right
never a factor
tracked leaders, led 9f out, headed over 4f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, keen, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, faded
mid-division, keen, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, driven along from 7f out, kept on to lead inside final furlong, game
in touch, stumbled over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
keen, never a factor
led, headed 9f out, led again over 4f out, all out, headed inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 4f out, stayed on, not reached leaders
Diktatorship gets our vote here ahead of Twilight Avenger and Elms Schoolboy. In a modest race, a repeat of his January course and distance win could wel be good enough to see Diktatorship home. Course winner, Activist, has the cheekpieces reapplied for the first time in over a year so might go well as he has won in them. Blue Opal won a race of a similar nature in October, but that was at Southwell and he has only one modest run to his name here. Danceinthevalley has regressed since 2005, while this ought to be Earthling's trip but he is not the most consistent. Elms Schoolboy is more than capable of competing well at this level if in one of his better moods, and Experimental is another that has bits of form to his name from the turn of the year. Iceni Warrior also has bits of form, although the best one of late has come at Kempton, while Welsh Whisper won here a year ago, but over a shorter trip and has yet to prove this trip is what he wants. Finally, Twilight Avenger tries this trip for the first time on today's surface and could be considered for a place. Once again, though, the selection is Diktatorship.
Activist 33-1 (8-7) Keen, held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, not troubled leaders, 7th of 12, 16l behind Lady Pilot (9-1) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Arthurs Dream (IRE) 13-2 (9-8) Slowly away, in rear, ridden 5f out, never nearer, 7th of 14, 12l behind A Mothers Love (8-2) at Southwell 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs.
Blue Opal 11-4 (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 13l behind Miss Holly (9-8) at Southwell 1m 4f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Experimental (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 13, 15l behind Danelor (11-1) at Southwell 1m 3f amt hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Iceni Warrior 12-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 14, 17l behind Jarvo (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) gf.
Montecristo 14-1 (9-1) Held up well in rear, ridden 3f out, kept on, never nearer, 6th of 14, 12l behind A Mothers Love (8-2) at Southwell 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs.
Welsh Whisper 50-1 (8-2) Mid-division, not clear run briefly over 2f out, headway entering straight, staying on same pace when not clear run and switched right well inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind The City Kid (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol in.
Diktatorship (IRE) 5-1 (8-5) Held up in touch, improved 4f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 13, 7l behind Lady Pilot (9-7) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
