held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, no impression final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, behind, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
held up, towards rear, weakened over 1f out
held up, in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, took 2nd inside final furlong
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened towards finish
tracked leader, led approaching 2f out, headed over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra
held up, towards rear, ridden and good headway over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up, in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well
held up, in touch, headway over 3f out, every chance and ridden over 2f out, faded towards finish
slowly into stride, held up, towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
soon led, headed approaching 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soo weakened
led early, raced keen, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, towards rear, ridden and one pace inside final furlong
Not an easy puzzle to solve. ALQAAHIR runs the track well and so he gets the vote over Sedgewick and Fine Ruler. The selection is the highest-rated in the contest, lying on a mark of 70 after a fair fourth to Erinjay last time out. He has a fair draw, comes here in good form and could take a bit of beating despite the shorter trip. Sedgewick won nicely at Lingfield after a lengthy absence so he needs respect but the 'bounce factor' is something to consider, Fine Ruler has a good record here and the draw is not a problem as he is usually held up, whilst Shake On It has been running well at Wolverhampton of late but has a toughish task at the weights. Apache Moon is dropped in grade, Having A Ball is well-drawn for a more positive ride than normal, whilst Resplendent Nova has been holding his form well at seven furlongs. Singleb, Sotik Star, Naxox and the consistent Party In The Park are all to be considered, but the vote goes to Alqaahir.
Fine Ruler (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, held up and always in rear, 10th of 11, 13l behind Expensive Problem (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Shake On It 8-1 (8-11) Pulled hard, held up in touch, headway to go 3rd over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Networker (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (5) pol in Jan.
Apache Moon 16-1 (9-13) Tracked winner to over 2f out, 5th of 7, 12l behind Ghazwah (8-6) at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) fbs in Jan.
Having A Ball 15-2 (9-3) In touch, chased leaders over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 10l behind Mr Hichens (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Resplendent Nova 7-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, never a factor, 7th of 10, 4l behind Ocean Legend (8-13) at Kempton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Singleb (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Pushed along throughout and always in rear, 13th of 14, 22l behind Assail (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul.
Sotik Star (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Started very slowly, behind, headway to mid-division halfway, chased leaders 3f out, effort on inside and ridden to chase leader over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Expensive Problem (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Alqaahir (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, keen hold, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Erinjay (9-5) at Kempton 1m app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol in Jan.
Sedgwick 10-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on gamely under pressure, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan beating Alfie Tupper (9-2) by ns, 12 ran.
James Pollard (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 6l behind Sir George (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Jan.
Naxox (FR) 20-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, hard driven well over 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 7, 12l behind Royal Rainbow (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f clm stks (6) pol in Jan.
Party In The Park 3-1fav (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Stanley Goodspeed (8-13) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Mountain Pass (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 8, 6l behind Sir George (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Jan.
