slowly into stride, headway on inside over 1f out, one pace and no impression towards finish
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, hard driven final furlong, ran on to lead near finish
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
held up in touch, slightly checked as paced quickened 2f out, headway and ran on inside final furlong, finished well
crossed over from wide draw and soon led, ridden, hard pressed and kept on final furlong, headed and lost three places near finish
raced wide in rear, weakened inside final 2f
held up in touch, driven on inner over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
chased leader, hard ridden and every chance final furlong, not quicken towards finish
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders on inner, driven and every chance final furlong, not quicken towards finish
Karl Burke is very much respected in his placement of horses in this type of race and he can pick up again with Desperation, who is selected in preference to the capable but frustrating Spence Appeal. Not many of the rest catch the eye, with only Royal Charter making appeal on pedigree. He cost 160,000gns as a foal and obviously better things were projected for him. However, his connections have quickly realized that he is no world beater and so he takes his chance in a claimer today. The fact that he has only beaten two horses home in both his previous starts is a worry and it is a leap of faith to go in heavy with him on what he has shown so far; even if Jamie Spencer has been booked for the ride by his in-form trainer, David Loder. At longer odds, Dusty Dane represents a yard that always have their runners fired up at this time of year and each-way support for Bill Turner's charge should be noted. However, Desperation held on well to score over course and distance last month and, with the rest having to prove their stamina for the trip. He looks the safest option. Spence Appeal is the obvious one for the forecast.
What-A-Dancer (IRE) 16-1 Slowly into stride, chased leader early, soon lost place and behind, 9th of 12, 10l behind Cardinal Venture at Southwell 7f hcp (C1) fbs.
Sri Diamond 8-1 Held up mid-division, hampered on bend well over 1f out, ran on again inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Binanti at Lingfield 1m stk (D2) pol in Dec.
Steely Dan 14-1 Held up in rear, effort on inside over 1f out, not much room near finish, 10th of 11, 4l behind Cheese 'n Biscuits at Lingfield 7f hcp (D2) pol.
Smokin Joe 11-2 Held up and behind, headway wide 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 1l behind Mr Lambros at Lingfield 7f hcp (D2) pol in Jan.
Cherokee Nation 14-1 In rear, headway 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong, gaining near finish, 6th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Mr Lambros at Lingfield 7f hcp (D2) pol in Jan.
Analyze (FR) 6-5fav Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, driven to lead briefly well inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 9, shd behind Lakota Brave at Lingfield 1m sll (G4) pol.
Tedstale (USA) 11-1 Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, hd behind Master Theo at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (D2) pol in Jan.
Miss Polaris 7-1 Dwelt, held up, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on to go second inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Gentleman's Deal at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (E3) pol in Oct.
Florida Heart 9-2 Held up in touch, ridden and no impression from 2f out, 6th of 8, 7l behind Unsuited at Kempton 1m 1f fll hcp 0-80 (D) gd in Jun.
Kareeb (FR) 4-1jt-fav Mid-division, headway over 2f out, shaken up 1f out, led towards finish, won at W'hampton 7f hcp (E3) pol in Jan beating Western Roots by a nk, 12 ran.
Northern Desert (IRE) 7-1 Slowly into stride, settled in rear, headway on inner final 2f, ran on, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 5l behind Night Air at Lingfield 1m hcp (D2) pol in Jan.
Distant Country (USA) 6-1 In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Mistral Sky at W'hampton 7f hcp (E3) pol in Dec.
