always behind
led to 1st, soon tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led 1st, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
close up, hit 2nd, headway to challenge 6th, ridden and every chance when hit 2 out, weakened from next
always behind
held up, headway approaching 3 out to chase leaders, kept on one pace from next
tracked leaders, hit 5th, ridden and chased leaders 3 out, kept on from last
tracked leaders, ridden and headway to lead approaching 3 out, kept on until headed approaching last, no extra flat
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
mid-division, hit 4th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, hit next, weakened from last
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, chasing leaders when weakening and hit last
always towards rear
towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, kept on to lead approaching last, driven out
tracked leaders until ridden and weakened after 6th
As competitive as it gets on the card here and after due consideration Dancing Lyra is our selection, with Pilca, Double Vodka, Bogus Dreams among others worthy of note. Dancing Lyra was a five length course and distance winner last time out and although that was only a maiden, he looked a decent sort who may well have been laid out for this. Carrying only a featherweight here will help him in running and he can go in at a price. Pilca is over a stone higher than when winning here in November and has struggled to cope with that hike since then. He will surely be competitive again but it is hard to see him winning before the handicapper relents. Double Vodka is a more likely proposition and won comfortably enough last time to suggest that there is still more to come, so can't be ruled out with confidence. Bogus Dreams was another comfortable scorer over course and distance last time and will not be found wanting for guts or courage in a fight, as evidenced by a string of wins a couple of seasons ago. He is worth noting for any market confidence, but we prefer Dancing Lyra.
Premier Dane (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Towards rear, ridden and headway after 5th, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 12, well behind Papini (11-3) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Jan.
Locksmith 33-1 (11-12) Led until headed 2nd and tracked leader, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 7th of 10, 16l behind Double Vodka (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Norma Hill 10-3 (10-1) Chased leader to 3rd, in touch after 5th, headway approaching 4 out, blundered and left in lead 3 out, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gf in Jan '06 beating Marcel (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Double Vodka (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden and led approaching next, driven out flat, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec beating Caraman (11-0) by 4l, 10 ran.
Adopted Hero (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Led, hit and headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 13, 11l behind Majorca (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Bogus Dreams (IRE) 9-2fav (11-7) Held up, smooth headway 2 out, led last and ran on well flat, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec beating Sir Night (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
Kings Quay 9-1 (10-1) In touch, hit 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakening approaching last, 8th of 20, 13l behind Acambo (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Sunday City (JPN) 18-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase leading pair 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Trompette (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Gringo 2-1 (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 9l behind Purple Moon (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Pilca (FR) 11-2 (10-1) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 38l behind Papini (11-3) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Jan.
Millagros (IRE) 4-1co-fav (10-8) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakening when hit last, 5th of 10, 12l behind Double Vodka (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Dancing Lyra 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, led after 3 out, soon ridden and driven out flat, won at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec beating Balyan (11-0) by 5l, 15 ran.
Prince Among Men 22-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, weakened 4th, 5th of 7, 31l behind Endless Power (10-0) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Forthright 2-1fav (11-6) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway 4th, led after 3 out, ridden after last, no extra when heade close home, 2nd of 14, 1l behind South O'The Border (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
South Bronx (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Mid-division, ridden and challenged approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 11l behind Double Vodka (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
