tracked leader, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway 3f out, ridden and stayed on same pace from over 1f out
led, ridden over 3f out, headed and soon bumped 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always in rear
prominent, shaken up to lead 1f out, soon in command, comfortable
mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, effort when not much room and bumped rival 1f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 3f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Tafiya has leading claims and should open her account, with Gus, Sky High Guy and Pound Sign all ones to note. You can add the Mark Johnston pair, Calcutta Cup and Azurine to that list, but the market will indicate which of those Middleham newcomers is perhaps expected to fare best an in any case we prefer to side with Tafiya who has shaped well on both starts to date. Gerard Butler's filly, a half-sister to the useful Tarfah, finished well over seven furlongs on her Leicester debut last October, and was sent off as an odds-on chance to go one better on her Polytrack debut just over three weeks ago. However, she failed to sparkle when turned over by a 33-1 shot in that mile contest, with Butler mystified, so she is now stepped up in trip in a bid to put matters right. She continues to work well at home and as the class to prevail with the help of her sex allowance. She hold Sky High Guy on latest form and a bigger danger may be Gus who shaped well on his second outing on the Polytrack last month. Pound Sign had two runs at Beverley last summer and steps up in trip on his return. He is another to ear in mind for the future, but the present belongs to Tafiya.
Calcutta Cup (UAE) Jade Robbery colt, half-brother to two winners in Dubai.
Eclipse Park 16-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 8, 8l behind Prince Charlemagne (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Gus 3-1jt-fav (8-4) Tracked leader, led well over 1f out, ridden and no extra when headed final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Ameeq (9-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb.
It's Basil 25-1 (9-0) Held up, always towards rear, 9th of 12, 7l behind Broken Spur (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Sept.
Pound Sign 10-1 (9-0) Hampered at start, driven to be in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind River Lena (8-9) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jul.
Sky High Guy (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, short of room approaching final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Living On A Prayer (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn (5) pol in Feb.
Azurine (IRE) Spectrum filly, half-sister to winning stayer Dune and a winning hurdler.
Bride To Be (USA) Dixie Union filly, half-sister to 5f winner Proscenium.
Radical Attraction (USA) 25-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, never on terms, 9th of 12, 5l behind Living On A Prayer (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn (5) pol in Feb.
Tafiya 4-9fav (8-9) Keen hold, prominent, chased winner 2f out, stayed on final furlong, no impression near finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Living On A Prayer (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn (5) pol in Feb.
