chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3f out, challenged 2f out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner inside final furlong no impression
held up behind, outpaced over 4f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on to go clear inside final furlong, eased near finish
with leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra final furlong
close up on outside, challenged over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
mid-division, driven and lost place 5f out, ridden and stayed on final 2f, never nearer
mid-division, ridden and lost place over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch when fell after 2f
mid-division, driven and outpaced over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on final 2f, never near leaders
led to over 4f out, soon lost place, weakened over 2f out
She has to give away plenty of weight but DART is on a roll and should take this from Russian Music and Stagecoach Emerald. The former James Fanshawe-trained mare had been disappointing prior to scoring over course and distance in December. That comfortable success was followed by a similar effort last time and a switch to slightly more positive tactics look to have worked the oracle with the six-year-old, who can go in once more under her ideal conditions. Russian Music also arrives here in winning form and with the Ian Williams yard remaining in decent form he's respected. The gelding is 5lbs higher than when scoring at Dunstall Park last time but having placed on his only try here the switch to fibresand shouldn't be an inconvenience. In receipt of so much weight from our selection he must go close, as might Stagecoach Emerald who has winning form here. The eight-year-old was a facile winner here in November before finding a 7lb rise too much when disappointing in his follow-up bid. Dropped a couple of pounds today and given a couple of weeks to freshen up, it wouldn't be the biggest surprise were he to bounce back to that winning form. Bright Sparky was pulled up over fences last time but is weighted to go close to beating Russian Music on their Wolverhampton form and with an able claimer easing the burden further this one is worth watching closely, as is Dawn Storm who was well-held by our pick last time but is also weighted to bridge the gap. Aleron is 9lbs lower than when last seen on the flat and that seems generous although the twelve-year-old might struggle to win and of more interest is Summer Affair who needs to improve slightly but is far from exposed. Sonny Sam is worth a market check and Seaquel has plenty of solid enough placed form but neither arrives in the same heart as Dart who can land the treble.
Dart 1-2fav (9-3) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 4f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating My Friend Fritz (9-10) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Summer Affair (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, lost place over 5f out, stayed on from over 1f out to go 4th inside final furlong, no danger, 4th of 11, 8l behind Desert Vision (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Russian Music (USA) 15-8fav (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden, headway over 2f out, ran on to lead final strides, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Bright Sparky (8-2) by nk, 13 ran.
Sonny Sam (IRE) 6-1 (8-4) Held up in touch, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, eased from over 1f out, 9th of 13, 50l behind Kayf Aramis (9-6) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Aleron (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) In touch, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Unawatuna (9-0) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sep.
Stagecoach Emerald 5-1 (8-10) Behind, niggled along and raced awkwardly, came wide entering straight, stayed on insided final 2f, never dangerous, 4th of 9, 12l behind Merrion Tiger (9-1) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Bright Sparky (GER) 12-1 (8-2) In rear, wide, headway 5f out, ridden to chase leader 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 13, nk behind Russian Music (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Dawn Storm (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Raced wide, in touch, ridden to chase leader over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, driven and stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Dart (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec.
Seaquel 25-1 (8-7) Led to 10f out, chased leader to 8f out, stayed in 3rd, pushed along and outpaced when rider dropped whip 2f out, rallied final furlong, went 2nd post, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Jiggalong (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Muntami (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Held up, headway on to track leaders 10f out, ridden and outpaced 4f out, driven and headway over 2f out, plugged on, 4th of 11, 13l behind Saute (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Veronicas Boy 11-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 16, 11l behind Twist Again (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug.
Zaffeu 16-1 (8-10) Mid-division, lost place 7f out, soon behind, 10th of 13, 36l behind Kings Maiden (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May.
Firsaan (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) In rear, weakened halfway, behind final 4f, 8th of 11, well behind Time Book (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov.
