held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong
in touch, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden approaching 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and edged left over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, headway to lead 1f out, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, kept on entering final furlong
Possible favourite Flow Chart looks worth taking on here with doubts about the surface, and we'll do just that by selecting AVOW ahead of Ramamara. Stan Moore's gelding was only beaten a head when last seen and can go one better here, despite having a bit to do at the weights. With an absence to contend with as well our selection is something of a speculative one, but as that effort last time looks solid and it came over course and distance we're prepared to take a chance on his fitness. Ramamara was only a head behind a really solid sort last time, and with today's trip ideal the Evans runner is worth plenty of respect dropped in grade. He's solid enough, although we feel our selection might improve past him in time. Flow Chart won well at Southwell on his penultimate start before struggling under a penalty, and we feel David Barron's gelding will struggle once more here, especially as this track presents an altogether different proposition. As such, more of a threat may come from Maoi Chinn Tire who is a stablemate of our selection and carries top weight. Riding arrangements suggest we've selected the better fancied of the pair but the market will reveal more clues. Major Maximus also rates a threat. He should be suited by stepping down from a mile and is preferred to City Gossip who is yet to race here. Marjolly was strongly backed before disappointing at Southwell last time and is up against it at the weights, as is Mind The Monarch who has a good draw to work from but will need to improve. A pretty competitive contest for the grade and our hopeful selection to land it is Avow.
Maoi Chinn Tire (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Disputed 2nd, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 5l behind Sabatini (9-5) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Major Maximus 2-1 (8-5) Last to break, held up, went 3rdover 1f out, not pace of front pair, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Glen Lass (8-8) at Kempton 1m 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Avow (USA) 25-1 (8-5) With leader and keen, ridden and every chance over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, hd behind Saxby (8-13) at Kempton 6f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Sep.
Ramamara (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway well over 1f out, hard ridden and ran on inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 7, hd behind Lisahane Bog (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Marjolly (IRE) 6-4fav (9-7) Dwelt, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 10, 5l behind The Love Guru (9-1) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
City Gossip (IRE) 5-2 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden to 3f out, no impression over 1f out, 4th of 7, 16l behind Mororless (8-0) at Southwell 1m 3yo sell stks (6) fbs.
Mind The Monarch 6-1 (9-4) Dwelt, towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Miami Gator (9-5) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) in Dec.
Flow Chart (IRE) Evensfav (9-2) Tracked leading pair, effort to challenge over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Love Delta (9-4) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.