prominent, driven over 1f out, weakened inside final 100 yards
mid-division, struggling over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never on terms
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well
tracked leaders on outside, wide last bend, soon weakened
half reared leaving stalls, soon in touch in mid-division racing keenly, not much room briefly on inside over 3f out, switched left and closed over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, kept on
prominent, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, lost 3rd post
towards rear, pushed along and struggling over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
in rear, ridden and headway on inside over 1f out, kept on well, went 3rd post
towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, no impression
Never Dark attempted to make all over 6f at Wolverhampton in March and wasn’t beaten far in third. But he may get taken for the lead in this by Newyorkstateofmind, who won over track and trip in October and is 7lb higher on his return having been gelded during the interim. Lady Fanditha made a winning debut but hasn’t raced since struggling in a Listed race at York over a year ago and SPIRIT OF THE SKY is preferred. Richard Fahey’s filly was also well beaten in a tough novice race at York when last in action though that form looks stronger in hindsight with the first three home all subsequently winning and she gets the vote now handicapping. Colonel Whitehead has yet to figure in a handicap but Zulu Zander won at Chelmsford in January with Agent Shiftwell behind.
Colonel Whitehead (IRE) 11-8fav (9-6) In touch, pushed along halfway, hit rail entering final 2f, soon weakened, last of 10, 5 1/2l behind Birkenhead (9-7) at Lingfield 5f (5) pol in Nov.
Agent Shiftwell 8-13fav (9-7) Led until ridden inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 7 1/2l behind Zulu Zander (9-8) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Zulu Zander (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Mid-division, lost place over 3f out, last of 8, 13l behind Bendy Spirit (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Never Dark 2-1jfav (9-0) Led narrowly, ridden 1f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on, held near finish, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Aweemaweh (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Dandizette (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 1f, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 6 3/4l behind Auckland Lodge (9-6) at Catterick 5f (5) gf in Sep.
Newyorkstateofmind 4-1 (8-13) Chased leader, led final furlong, held on well towards finish, won at Kempton 5f (5) pol in Oct beating Music Therapist (9-9) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Spirit Of The Sky 10-1 (9-3) Soon outpaced, some headway near side of group over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 12 1/2l behind Art Power (9-2) at York 5f stks (3) sft in Oct.
Port Winston (IRE) 15-2 (9-6) Pulled hard in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, never a threat, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Swinley (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f (5) pol in Oct.
Roman Melody 11-2 (9-7) Close up, pushed along halfway, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Little Brown Trout (9-4) at Yarmouth 6f (5) hvy in Oct.
Lady Fanditha (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Bumped start, chased leaders, lost place and edged left over 1f out, soon beaten, 11th of 18, 10 1/4l behind Good Vibes (8-12) at York 5f lst fll stks (1) gf in May.
