held up last, pushed along well over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish
took keen hold, trapped 3 wide tracking leading pair, not quicken over 2f out, soon hung right, beaten and eased over 1f out
with leader, led narrowly 2f out, driven and stayed on until no extra and headed towards finish
dwelt soon pushed along to narrow lead, headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
Nonrunner
A good race to bring down the curtain on the card and one where Mark Johnston's DUELLIST is just preferred to Ghazwah. With Jeremy Glover's runners going well then Coolree Star should get very competitive, especially if we take his run last month behind Love Delta literally. He does have to put behind him a disappointment when favourite here on Sunday and there are others with stronger claims. Barlaman has put together some decent form in a string of maidens without breaking his duck, and he was then thrashed from today's mark on his handicap debut at Southwell. Connections will hope that this surface will suit better and he is not without hope. We have given R Woody a few recent chances, and while he has run well enough, he keeps finding one or two too good. The return to this trip is not guaranteed to suit and we'll take him on now. Ghazwah landed a moderate Southwell maiden last time and the handicapper has left him on the same mark of 72 for his introduction to handicapping. This trip looks his optimum and he is much respected. Even so, preference is for Duellist. The Dubawi colt was a beaten favourite in two maidens before coming good in resounding fashion at Wolverhampton. The change to this surface should not be a problem, while the drop in trip is not expected to cause concern given the speed he showed at Dunstall Park and he can follow-up.
Gertmegalush (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 20l behind Bossy Kitty (7-12) at York 6f 2yo hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Duellist 1-5fav (8-9) Soon tracking leader, led 2f out, nudged clear final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan beating Belles Beau (8-7) by 6l, 8 ran.
Ghazwah 8-11fav (8-6) Made all, came centre over 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) fbs in Jan beating Bandstand (9-13) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Kylladdie 9-4 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 2 1/2l behind Maldon Prom (7-11) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-90 (4) pol in Dec.
Barlaman (USA) 10-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, no impression, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Ostentation (8-10) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Coolree Star (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Pressed leader, ridden and outpaced 2f out, soon lost place, no impression final furlong, 5th of 8, 5l behind Little Perisher (9-2) at Kempton 6f 3yo clm stks (5) pol.
R Woody 13-8fav (9-4) Soon led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 4, 3/4l behind Texas Queen (8-13) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Athwaab 13-2 (8-5) Soon outpaced and behind, headway over 1f out, ran on, not reach winner, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Clifton Bridge (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
