tracked leaders, led after 3f, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on well
always behind
held up towards rear, ridden and headway well over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
led early, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced
prominent and took keen hold, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
soon led, headed after 3f, ridden to chase 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out
took keen hold, in touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong
Another competitive handicap in terms of numbers but Jair Ohmsford has been equipping himself well over hurdles of late and is taken to make a winning return to the level at the main expense of Rasid and Archie Babe. The last mentioned would not have an obvious chance on recent evidence but has slipped to an attractive mark and has ground conditions to suit so may go well at a fair price. Like the selection, Fair Spin comes here fit and in form from hurdling having won a novices' hurdle at Carlisle last month. Micky Hammond's gelding makes more appeal than recent Yarmouth winner Dhehdaah, who has to race off a 5lb higher mark today. Top weight Mungo Jerry is less exposed than most of these and is another to consider along with Rasid, who is fit from the all-weather and has slipped to an attractive mark for his return to the turf. The vote though goes to Jair Ohmsford. Willie Musson's gelding has shown progressive form over hurdles and, if able to translate that improvement back to the flat, would hold an obvious chance in this company.
Mungo Jerry (GER) 20-1 Held up, hung right over 2f out, soon switched left, ran on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Tender Falcon at Leicester 1m 4f stk (E) gd in Jun.
Crownfield 13-2 Prominent, ridden over 3f out, kept on well to lead inside final furlong, won at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (E) gf in May '03 beating Joely Green by 1l, 14 ran.
Jair Ohmsford (IRE) 6-1 Held up in rear, headway 4f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Dance World at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (E3) fbs in Dec.
Financial Future 20-1 Led 4f, chased leader until lost place over 5f out, soon behind, last of 14, 43l behind Circassian at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (E3) gf in Sept.
Rasid (USA) 16-1 In rear, headway over 2f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Tromp at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp pol.
Terlan (GER) 3rd of 8, 2l behind Harry Potter at Halle 7f hcp gd in Oct '03.
Polish Flame 14-1 Midfield, pushed along over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 6th of 19, 2l behind Nowell House at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (C) gs in Oct '03.
Nakwa (IRE) 100-1 Always towards rear, 22nd of 34, 28l behind Contact Dancer at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (B1) sft in Oct.
Dhehdaah 9-1 In touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp gs in Mar beating Lillebror by 2l, 11 ran.
Kingsdon (IRE) 7-1 Always behind, 12th of 14, 6l behind Glendale at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (F4) pol in Mar.
Fair Spin 12-1 Mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind McQueen at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (E3) sft in Nov.
Scurra 16-1 Mid-division, lost place over 3f out, 7th of 13, 8l behind Shape Up at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (E3) gs in Nov.
Hope Sound (IRE) 25-1 Slowly into stride, keen, in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 14l behind Junkanoo at Nottingham 2m hcp sft.
Archie Babe (IRE) 12-1 Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3f out, no impression final furlong, 9th of 18, 13l behind Greenwich Meantime at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp gd in Mar.
