raced far side, chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
behind far side, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furling
chased leaders far side, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
behind stand side, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear stand side, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
with leaders stand side, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up far side, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
behind stand side, headway and ridden 2f out, no impression, final furlong
prominent stand side, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders far side, ridden 2 f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong
mid-division stand side, ridden over 2f out, no impression
mid-division stand side, ridden and every chance 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
led far side group, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind stand side, never dangerous
with leaders far side group, ridden to lead overall 2f out, kept on well
tracked leaders stand side, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed inside last, one pace
prominent stand side, ridden and every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division far side group, one pace final 2f, no impression
led stand side group, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division stand side group, ridden and headway 2f out, led stand side group inside last, kept on well
behind far side group, never dangerous
chased leaders stand side group, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
In a very competitive race, and mainly because his stable is in such good form, we have sided with Best Before, although there are plenty that hold chances. Best Before will be fit from an all-weather run and is competitively weighted, so afford him respect, while Hills Of Gold is back to the mark from which he won at Chester last year and will like the going, so he is entitled to supporters too. The consistent Les Arcs is not too far away from a winning rating, while Barathea Dreams is also back to near a winning mark, although his recent all-weather efforts have not been great. Creskeld is not too badly weighted on the best of his Turf form and Granston ended last season well and, not having been overfaced for a four-year-old, could yet run well from his mark. Like a number of these, Arkholme is edging back towards a winning mark, and the course and distance winner Oddsmaker does not look too badly weighted either and this mile is his trip. Everest is another course and distance winner but is five pounds above a previous best winning mark, while Red Spell is lightly raced and a possible improver but is unproven on going with give in it. Evaluator is closely weighted with Granston based on Ascot form of last September and, lightly raced and with Kieren Fallon booked, his chance cannot be discounted. Krugerrand is capable at this level and is now just two pounds above a winning mark, so he too is respected, while Kamanda Laugh, who has won three of his last seven races and is still lightly raced, could yet prove to be on an attractive rating. Finally, State Dilemma is a pound below a winning mark now, although his wins to date have come at seven furlongs and Flipando is one of those lightly-raced potential improvers that should have more to come. It is one of those races, really, where the effect of the draw from Thursday should be noted and a big pin kept close at hand. Ours fell against the name of Best Before.
Flipando (IRE) 7-2 Tracked leaders, headway 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong, won at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp (C1) gf in Sept beating Mrs Moh by 1/2l, 8 ran.
State Dilemma (IRE) 40-1 Held up behind, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 17l behind Anuvasteel at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (D2) pol in Feb.
Kamanda Laugh 7-2fav Held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 4l behind Zero Tolerance at Newmarket 1m hcp (C1) gs in Oct.
Krugerrand (USA) 40-1 Dwelt, never dangerous, last of 13, 17l behind Zero Tolerance at Newmarket 1m hcp (C1) gs in Oct.
Evaluator (IRE) 6-1 Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 17, nk behind Granston at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (D2) gf in Sept.
Red Spell (IRE) 7-2 Chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Weecandoo at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (D2) pol in Dec.
Sew'n'so Character (IRE) 7-2 In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 8, 16l behind Exterior at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo hcp (C1) hvy in Oct.
Everest (IRE) 16-1 Raced centre, in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 31st of 32, 30l behind Spanish Don at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (B1) gd in Oct.
Oddsmaker (IRE) 25-1 Tracked leader until well over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 10, 9l behind Uhoomagoo at W'hampton 7f hcp (D2) pol in Mar.
Barrissimo (IRE) 50-1 Led until headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 21l behind Night Air at Lingfield 1m hcp (D2) pol in Jan.
Arkholme 12-1 Held up in rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on but not pace of leaders final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Desert Cristal at Goodwood 1m stk (C2) gd in Sept.
Granston (IRE) 10-1 Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leader 1f out, ran on to lead final 50 yards, won at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (D2) gf in Sept beating Evaluator by a nk, 17 ran.
Up Tempo (IRE) 14-1 Keen, held up, ridden over 3f out, hung badly right over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 9l behind Penwell Hill at Southwell 1m hcp (D2) fbs in Mar.
Fitting Guest (IRE) 33-1 Raced stand side, led until headed inside final 2f, gradually weakened, 14th of 27, 11l behind Mandobi at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (B) gf in Jun.
Barathea Dreams (IRE) 10-1 Chased leaders until weakened approaching final furlong, 11th of 12, 5l behind Waterside at Lingfield 7f hcp (D2) pol in Jan.
Les Arcs (USA) 3-1fav Dwelt, headway 3f out, ridden when not much room and hit over head with whip inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Kirkby's Treasure at Musselburgh 7f hcp gs in Mar.
Hills of Gold 16-1 In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 11, 9l behind Kirkby's Treasure at Musselburgh 7f hcp gs in Mar.
Best Before (IRE) 14-1 Held up mid-division, good headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Distant Country at Lingfield 1m clm (E3) pol in Mar.
Strong Hand 10-1 Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 8l behind Kirkby's Treasure at Musselburgh 7f hcp gs in Mar.
Ermine Grey 11-1 Held up, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 11th of 12, 20l behind Penwell Hill at Southwell 1m hcp (D2) fbs in Mar.
Abbajabba 9-1 Prominent and keen, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 14l behind Zoom Zoom at W'hampton 7f stk (E3) pol in Nov.
Creskeld (IRE) 10-1 Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 12l behind Anuvasteel at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (D2) pol in Feb.
