stumbled start, in touch over 7f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, shaken up over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
slowly into stride, headway to lead over 8f out, headed over 3f out, ridden to lead again 2f out, headed inside final furlong
pulled hard, held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on under pressure near finish
steady to rear over 8f out, not trouble leaders
chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
led, headed over 8f out, ridden to lead again over 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
Aajel and Serengeti have similar claims here and we just prefer the last named, Man Of Vision is also worthy of a mention. Serengeti made a winning juvenile start when beating Sister Maria at Wolverhampton. There was a lot to like about that performance as he was slowly away and bumped early on. He showed tremendous determination to get up on the line and with that sort of attitude he will be hard to beat this afternoon. Aajel beat the Mark Johnston trained Rain And Shade last time out. That runner up disappointed next time out but may have just had an off day. Aajel does of course have scope for plenty of improveemnt but Johnston should really know how he stands with this rival. Man Of Vision has put in two solid efforts this year and doesn't look badly treated for his handicap debut. The best of the rest could be Six Shots, but Serengeti has so much scope for improvement and he can keep his unbeaten record.
Aajel (USA) 7-2 (9-3) Prominent on inner, ridden to lead entering final furlong, asserted and edged right towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Feb beating Rain And Shade (9-3) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Lazy Darren 5-4fav (9-1) Went left start, in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 6, 6l behind Chookie Hamilton (8-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Serengeti 5-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride and bumped start, headway to lead over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec beating Sister Maria (8-12) by a nk, 5 ran.
Highland Harvest 13-2 (8-9) Took keen hold, held up, ridden 3f out, no chance when hung left over 1f out, 7th of 9, 10l behind Chookie Hamilton (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Six Shots 7-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Players Please (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Copper King 14-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 10l behind dhtrs Storybook (8-8) & Boscobel (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Man of Vision (USA) 9-4 (9-3) Held up in touch, led well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 13, nk behind Silkwood (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Feb.
Professor Twinkle 5-2fav (8-13) Led, ridden 2f out, joined 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Ten A Penny (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol.
