took keen hold, in touch in 5th, ridden to dispute 2nd 2f out, no impression, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, chased winner 8f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened soon after
keen, led after 1f, made rest, clear 2f out, pushed out final furlong, always holding on
started slowly, always behind, pushed along 5f out, soon struggling, plugged on
chased leaders, effort on inside to 2nd over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, outpaced to 3rd closing stages
held up in last pair, headway to modest 4th inside final 2f, strong run on outer inside final furlong, went 2nd and closed on winner towards finish
led 1f, chased winner until 8f out, chased leaders, pushed along 5f out, soon driven, weakened inside final 3f, soon behind and eased, tailed off
AQUA ARDENS stayed on well to grab second over 7f at Wolverhampton last month on only his second start. He's related to a couple of useful middle-distance horses in Germany and George Baker's charge is taken to open his account today stepping up in distance. Bert The Alert went close at Kempton on his earlier start over this trip and finished ahead of Broughton Sands last time, while the likes of Midnight Opera and Mutanaker take a break from the jumping game with the former having his first start on the Flat. Chhota Naa and Las Hilanderas make their belated racecourse debuts and may be best watched for now.
Mutanaker 11-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, driven and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 17l behind Palio Square (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Sep '10.
Roanstar 9-1 (8-8) Well in rear, ridden along halfway, some headway on rails final furlong, 5th of 10, 13l behind Peintre D'argent (8-8) at Newbury 1m 4f app hcp (5) gf in May.
Bert The Alert 4-1 (9-3) Pulled hard tracking leaders, effort on inside 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Tadabeer (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Chhota Naa Calcutta gelding out of Ceilidh Band.
Vehement 33-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 5th of 6, 29l behind Chabada (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fbs.
Broughton Sands 50-1 (8-12) Dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, never nearer, 4th of 8, 7l behind Tadabeer (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Las Hilanderas (USA) El Prado filly out of Lilium.
Midnight Opera 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, mistake and hampered 7th, blundered next, well beaten after 4 out, 6th of 10, 35l behind Triple Bluff (10-0) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Aqua Ardens (GER) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd near finish, no impression, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Prodigality (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
