held up towards rear, ridden, headway over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up, effort, not much room over 2f out, soon switched left, stayed on well entering final furlong, held towards finish
behind, held when stumbled and fell 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, weakened approaching final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, in rear, no chance when hampered 1f out
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear, held when hampered 1f out
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, outpaced final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
Plenty in with claims in this open contest and Azreme is taken to follow up his recent win with another at the main expense of course and distance winners Efidium and Apache Nation. Paul Howling's gelding reveled in the mud last time out, carrying top-weight of ten stone to victory. That was a brave effort and with the horse still well-handicapped on old form (races off 67 including his penalty here, as opposed to a highest winning mark of 72), he can win again. Efidium needs to bounce back after a tame effort at Thirsk but may be better suited by today's return to a mile, whilst Apache Nation loves the ground as soft as it can get so won't mind any further showers. Dazzler Mac let down favourite backers last time out so may be passed over again, the same applies to Orphan and Pigeon Flight who are both out of form. At a price Libre could go well returning from a break, however all roads lead back to Azreme who gets the nod.
Efidium 11-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, lost ground over 3f out, driven 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Skyelady (9-5) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Superior Star 7-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Magical Music (9-2) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Azreme 7-4fav (10-0) Tracked leading pair, ridden to challenge 2f out, led over 1f out, driven and in command final 100 yards, won at Windsor 1m hcp 0-70 (5) hvy beating Valley Observer (9-9) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Orphan (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Mid division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 13l behind Gunfighter (9-7) at Hamilton 6f hcap (5) gf in Jun.
Libre 11-2 (9-3) Always behind, eased when no chance final furlong, 12th of 13, 29l behind Border Edge (8-9) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct.
Apache Nation (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 4f out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 7l behind The Grey One (9-3) at Warwick 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
Lauro 22-1 (8-11) Towards rear, headway 6f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 13l behind Floodlight Fantasy (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Pigeon Flight 6-1 (9-3) Mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 6l behind Yes One (9-6) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Dazzler Mac 9-2fav (8-10) Prominent, one pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 9l behind Magical Music (9-2) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Pre Eminance (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Rotuma (9-8) at Redcar 1m 2f clm (6) gs in Jun.
New Year (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 10, 12l behind Mutajarred (9-2) at Haydock 1m mdn stk (5) hvy in Jun.
Whithorn 22-1 (8-8) Always in rear, 11th of 13, 11l behind Miacarla (8-9) at Redcar 5f mdn hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Mister Jingles 8-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 11, 9l behind Hoh Wotanite (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Kadia 25-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, behind and outpaced, 12th of 14, 23l behind Pappas Ruby (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcap (6) fbs in May.
Ming Vase 16-1 (8-9) Led, ridden and hung right when headed 2f out, no extra, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Magical Music (9-2) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Perfect Courtesy (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 26l behind Apache Dawn (9-3) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Jun.
