towards rear, some headway on inner over 1f out, never a factor
mid-division, prominent halfway, weakened 2f out
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on
in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
led, ridden over 1f out, no extra when headed towards finish
chased leaders on inner, lost place over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden inside final furlong, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, never dangerous
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish
chased leader, quickly weakened over 1f out
WATCH AMIGO gets the vote to beat a host of exposed rivals headed by Fulford, Dvinsky and Punching. Walter Swinburn's gelding caught the eye on his debut when taking second at Wolverhampton before going one better on his next visit to that track. Both races came over seven furlongs but we don't expect this drop in trip to cause any problems, so despite the fact that no winners have come from his maiden and some guesswork is required he's still worth siding with, largely due to the lack of potential amongst the opposition. That point is highlighted by the fact that the three likely dangers, Punching, Dvinsky and Fulford, have raced a massive 241 times between them. A good chunk of those come courtesy of Dvinsky and to a lesser extent Punching, so the least exposed Fulford is put forward as the main danger. Mel Brittain's charge has done really well throughout the winter but he's not won on the turf yet and may have to wait a little longer before correcting that. Punching is at his best around Southwell but six furlongs is very much his trip - both turf wins have come over it - and he's now 3lbs below his last turf winning mark and 12lbs below his all-weather rating which will help. He's passed over along with Dvinsky for win-only purposes though, with the last named getting no younger and being without a win on turf since 2006, although it must be said that the win did come here at Pontefract. John Quinn had been woefully out of form until last week when he saddled a winner and a second so Mr Wolf can't be ruled out although he needs to lead and there's going to be a fight on for that honour, whilst Future Gem can be forgiven her poor run last time as it came over seven which stretches her stamina. Connections of Mission Impossible must be pleased he's only gone up 3lbs for winning last time and he goes well fresh so each-way backers could do worse, but if you're looking for the winner we think it might just be Watch Amigo, comprendez?
Bid For Gold 100-1 (7-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 19, 14l behind Deadly Encounter (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar.
Watch Amigo (IRE) 5-2 (9-3) Towards rear, headway to 3rd over 2f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Midnight Strider (9-3) by 1l, 9 ran.
Bahamian Kid 14-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden inside final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 6l behind Replicator (8-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcap (5) pol in Mar.
Cherri Fosfate 28-1 (9-7) Always in rear, 10th of 14, 6l behind White Deer (10-0) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Mr Wolf 22-1 (8-8) Led, ridden 2f out, headed well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 14, 7l behind Mujaadel (9-5) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Future Gem 8-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened well over 1f out, 12th of 18, 21l behind Liberty Trail (9-1) at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct.
Dvinsky (USA) 7-1 (8-12) With leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Hip Hip Hooray (8-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Punching 7-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Grudge (9-8) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Fulford 9-4 (8-5) Chased leaders, effort over 1f, every chance inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Punching (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) std in Mar.
The History Man (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) In touch, one pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 9l behind Spirit of Coniston (8-11) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
Cornus 11-2 (9-0) Dwelt in rear, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 4l behind Muktasb (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Star Addition 12-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, always behind, 13th of 15, 26l behind Academy Blues (9-4) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Mission Impossible 16-1 (8-8) Raced stands' side, tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-55 (6) sft in Nov beating Alacity (9-2) by hd, 17 ran.
