held up in touch, effort over 1f out, soon no impression, weakened final furlong
led narrowly to 2f out, gradually weakened
always behind
chased leaders until weakened from 2f out
with leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reached leaders
chased leaders, ridden and no extra over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, just failed
prominent until weakened from 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no progress and one pace final furlong
never a factor
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, not pace to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, good headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, gaining near finish
held up in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out, final furlong just held on
prominent, every chance 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader to 2f out, still every chance over 1f out, stayed on one pace
towards rear, stayed on from over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
held up behind, clipped heels and unseated rider well over 2f out
chased leaders to 2f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened rapidly over 1f out
held up in rear, stayed on from over 1f out, nearest finish
prominent to 2f out, soon weakened
This looks a cracking sprint handicap with plenty of the 24 runners having claims including the likes of One More Round, Texas Gold, Trinculo and Connect but the vote goes to Lafi. The selection has only had the two starts so far this term but has run well on each occasion and has probably been aimed at this for some time by his shrewd trainer David Nicholls, who has plenty of ammunition in the sprinting division. Jockey Eddie Ahern has only ridden the gelding once before, when landing the Wokingham two years ago, and it looks significant that he takes the mount today. Nicholls has no fewer than six other runners in the field including Machinist, who has a high draw, and Trinculo, the mount of the trainer's son Adrian. Bo McGinty, berthed in stall one and Celtic Mill, who is better than recent form would probably suggest have to be considered although a bigger threat may come from Clive Brittain's recent Haydock second Excusez Moi. The booking of Richard Hills for Connect takes the eye, while Texas Gold has a race of this nature within him but Lafi makes plenty of appeal and he gets the vote.
Celtic Mill 7-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2l behind Donna Blini (8-11) at Newmarket 5f stk (3) gf.
Texas Gold 5-1 (9-9) Held up in touch on inner, switched right over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Green Manalishi (9-10) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
One More Round (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Behind, not clear run briefly 2f out, headway over 1f out, storng run to lead well inside final furlong, won at Windsor 6f hcp (2) gf beating The Kiddykid (9-5) by a hd, 16 ran.
Trinculo (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Led for 1f, tracked leader after, every chance 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Green Manalishi (9-10) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Connect 11-2 (9-13) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Wyatt Earp (9-4) at York 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Machinist (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Bayeux (9-11) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) Mid-division, 8th under 2f out, ridden to go moderate 3rd under 1f out, stayed on well without reaching leaders, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Osterhase (10-3) at Curragh 5f hcp gf.
Plateau 5-1 (9-11) Behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 5l behind Rudi's Pet (8-5) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
