slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden on outside 3f out, no response and soon beaten
held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, soon struggling
took keen hold, held up in touch, headway well over 1f out, went 2nd briefly inside final furlong, never anywhere near winner
chased leaders, pushed along and unable to quicken 3f out, driven along on wide outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with easy winner
soon led, quickened over 2 lengths ahead 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, easily
chased leaders until weakened final furlong
took keen hold early, chased winner, well held 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong
took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out until inside final furlong, weakened well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in touch, pushed along on outside 4f out, weakened and no chance final 3f
EASTERN ARIA can provide trainer Mark Johnston with back-to-back successes in this contest, in the process accounting for Safari Sunup and Desert Creek. Our selection was last seen running in Grade One company at Woodbine and she ran well to take fourth. A winner of seven of her 16 starts last season, this game daughter of Halling should continue to progress with racing and will be suited by today's conditions having won over course and distance in the past. Her mark of 105 doesn't leave much room for manoeuvre but she deserves it and can beat Safari Sunup, a really admirable type who has been unfortunate to run into a few smart sorts of late. He's up 3lbs following a fine run in Listed company last time but should again run his race. Desert Creek showed little on his comeback run but Sir Michael Stoute will get whatever is in him out given time and there's every chance he'll have come on for his run last time. Kings Destiny also merits respect for Michael Jarvis but this gelding might be a shade high in the weights and needs to have improved over the winter, whilst December Draw has work on with Safari Sunup and Island Sunset needs to find a bit more but does remain capable of better. This is a cracking handicap, in which we like the look of Eastern Aria.
Racecar Rhapsody (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Soon ridden in rear; never near to challenge, 11th of 15, 20l behind Snaafy (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 1m Group 3 (1) in Mar '09.
Eastern Aria (UAE) 18-1 (8-6) Saved grnd,evened out, 4th of 8, 6l behind Lahaleeb (8-6) at Woodbine(USA) 1m 2f Grp 1 stks gf in Oct.
Pachattack (USA) 33-1 (8-9) Raced stands side, held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 8, 11l behind Sri Putra (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Safari Sunup (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway 3f out, soon driven to challenge, stayed on well under pressure, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind South Easter (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) pol in Mar.
Kings Destiny 7-1fav (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 23, 14l behind Charm School (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
December Draw (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, edged left, no extra, 3rd of 6, 1l behind South Easter (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) pol in Mar.
Desert Creek (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, shaken up over 2f out, soon beaten, 22nd of 23, 39l behind Brunston (8-2) at Newbury 1m hcp (2) gd.
Island Sunset (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Raced wide, in touch, ridden 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 11, 7l behind Shamwari Lodge (8-12) at Kempton 1m fll lst stks (1) pol.
Mafeking (UAE) 16-1 (9-0) Soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly, 10th of 12, 16l behind Red Cadeaux (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
