in touch and keen, headway over 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 4f out
in touch, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along 4f out, headway over 2f out, led soon after and pushed clear
held up rear, hung right and driven from over 2f out, plugged on
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, lost 2nd and weakened over 1f out
held up, some progress 3f out, never dangerous
ZUWAAR is fancied to complete the hat-trick at the main expense of Mujamead and Coda Agency. Two recent wins for the selection have come at Wolverhampton and he has suffered a combined 8lb rise in the weights for those wins. His trainer is in good form and this fairly unexposed gelding is taken to win again. Mujamead is now rated 63, which is a 19lb higher mark than when he won three runs ago. This very useful dual performer has a fine strike-rate but the feeling is that he needs to improve again, something which is entirely possible given that he is rated 115 over hurdles. Irish Ballad also comes here in good form but he has a bit to find with the selection on their clash in December, although he is 9lbs better off at these weights. Coda Agency is a course and distance winner who was a bit below par when beaten as a favourite at Southwell last month, however a return to this longer trip is in his favour. Snowberry Hill also has form at the track but he has plenty to find with the selection on their recent run and looks high enough in the weights at present. Squirtle shaped with more promise last time and the stable are coming out from the doldrums, however it is Zuwaar who we fancy to win again.
Tutor (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 40l behind Paradise Walk (8-7) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Aug '07.
Coda Agency 5-4fav (10-0) Tracked winner to over 4f out, soon ridden, outpaced 3f out, driven and rallied inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4l behind Amron Hill (8-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Mujamead 10-3 (9-4) Held up mid-division, challenged 3f out, led over 2f out, hard ridden and under pressure inside final furlong, just held on, won at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb beating Squiffy (9-4) by a shd, 10 ran.
Zuwaar 7-2fav (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led and hung left from 1f out, stayed on under pressure, won at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec beating Squirtle (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Squirtle (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Zuwaar (9-5) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Snowberry Hill (USA) 8-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway 5f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind Zuwaar (9-5) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Nothing Is Forever (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Raced wide in touch, led 5f out until 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 15, 9l behind Magic Show (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sept '07.
Irish Ballad 11-2 (9-3) In touch in main group, headway to chase leader 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Zalkani (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Peas 'n Beans (IRE) 66-1 (9-9) Close up 4th, ridden, struggling over 2f out, never dangerous, last of 6, 13l behind Capstan (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Nov.
