held up in mid-division, headway on wide outside over 2f out, ridden to chase winner entering final furlong, stayed on
held up in mid-division, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, led inside final 2f, ridden and ran on well
raced in mid-division, steadily lost place from halfway, headway when not clear run inside final 2f, kept on steadily final furlong
always behind
chased leaders over 7f
slowly into stride, behind, headway final furlong, never nearer
pulled hard, held up in rear, headway to mid-division 6f, ridden and weakened 3f out
slowly into stride, behind, pushed along 4f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, weakening when not much room inside final 2f
in touch, going well and every chance 2f out, chased winner until weakened inside final furlong
soon pressed leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakening when not much room soon after
close up, ridden and not quicken over 2f out, shaken up and kept on steadily final furlong
always behind
made most, driven along 3f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
close up, hard driven and outpaced 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway and squeezed through over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
slowly away, always behind
Maraakeb, Spring Jim and True Companion are the leading players here and the vote is given to Maraakeb. The selection is from a yard in top form and he will come on for his seasonal reappearance effort when fourth behind Danelor at Pontefract. He will have no problem with today's conditions and this lightly-raced colt looks the one they all have to beat. Spring Jim is a likeable type and he should give him the most to do as showed that this trip plays to his strengths when a good second behind Top Spec at Sandown last time. However, he is not the most straightforward and we are happy to take him on. True Companion has been in good form but this look much tougher than some of his recent assignments. He is a seasoned campaigner but he looks vulnerable to a less exposed rival. Caledonian is from the stable of David Elsworth who are flying at present, so he is worth a second look in the market, but for the winner we return to Maraakeb.
True Companion 5-6fav Mid-division, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, soon led, edged left inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Nottingham 1m 2f stk sft beating Libre by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Maraakeb (FR) 3-1jt-fav Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 10, 10l behind Danelor at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp gs in Mar.
Cruise Director 9-2 Tracked winner for 4f, remained prominent, went 2nd well over 1f out, soon edged right, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Gig Harbor at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (C1) pol in Mar.
Mohawk Star (IRE) 10-1 Towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Fandango Dancer at Curragh 1m hcp sft in Oct.
Rio De Janeiro (IRE) 40-1 In touch, pushed along 6f out, weakened over 4f out, last of 7, 22l behind Rule of Law at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (A) gd in Aug.
Silvaline 25-1 Very slowly away, behind, hung left and kept on from over 1f out, 10th of 17, 12l behind Compton Drake at Warwick 1m 3f hcp gs in Mar.
Oddsmaker (IRE) 16-1 Prominent stand side, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 19th of 22, 18l behind Barathea Dreams at Doncaster 1m hcp gd.
Top Spec (IRE) 33-1 Slow away, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 19, 10l behind Double Deputy at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp (D2) sft in Oct.
Flying Adored 10-1 Always towards rear, 16th of 19, 39l behind Double Deputy at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp (D2) sft in Oct.
Black Falcon (IRE) 40-1 Always towards the rear, 11th of 17, 13l behind Compton Drake at Warwick 1m 3f hcp gs in Mar.
Mr Velocity (IRE) 15-2 Mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 17, 23l behind Compton Drake at Warwick 1m 3f hcp gs in Mar.
Sangiovese 6-1 With winner 5f, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 14l behind Penwell Hill at Southwell 1m hcp (D2) fbs in Mar.
Harcourt (USA) 10-1 Held up in touch, effort under pressure wide over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out and eased, last of 13, 18l behind Karaoke at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (D2) pol in Dec.
Sweet Indulgence (IRE) 20-1 Steadied start, always towards rear, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Gingko at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (D2) pol in Mar.
Dundry 40-1 Held up mid-division, ridden and headway but edged left over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 17, 6l behind Compton Drake at Warwick 1m 3f hcp gs in Mar.
Dafore 33-1 Raced mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 10l behind Kabeer at Lingfield 1m hcp (D2) pol in Mar.
Dower House 9-1 Slowly into stride, held up behind, steady headway over 4f out, ridden along 3f out, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 18l behind Danelor at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp gs in Mar.
Caledonian (IRE) 18-1 Held up in rear, effort over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 8, 8l behind Eccentric at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (B1) pol in Feb.
Momtic (IRE) 16-1 Prominent, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 15th of 20, 13l behind Kew Green at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-105 gs in Mar.
Spring Jim 4-1 Held up, headway and hung right from 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, took 2nd last stride, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Top Spec at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (D2) gd in Sept.
