bumped start, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear, headway halfway, ridden and no further progress from over 1f out
raced wide, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, headed over 4f out, led again over 2f out, soon pressed, ridden and held on gamely
slowly into stride, soon outpaced
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, lost place halfway
dwelt, soon pushed along in rear, never a factor
in rear, headway halfway, effort between horses entering final furlong, driven and stayed on
dwelt, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, driven inside final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd near finish
chased leading pair, ridden to chase winner 2f out, soon every chance, unable to quicken inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
FUZZY CAT will win few admirers for his head carriage but he's one of few with their ideal conditions, so the four-year-old is taken to score once more from Albero Di Guida and Jul's Lad. David Barron has a fine record here and his gelding won over course and distance last time. He may carry his head a little high, but the horse seems genuine enough and the form of that last success looks pretty solid so he can carry a 5lb higher mark to victory. Albero Di Guida picked up a couple of races at Wolverhampton a month ago, efforts which have seen his rating climb to 58. He may still remain capable off this sort of mark though, so whilst he's not yet won here he's only had the two tries and both have advertised promise. Jul's Lad didn't look to be crying out for a drop to sprinting before scoring over course and distance two starts ago, so whilst he proved that wrong to some degree there remains a concern that he'll struggle to lay up early and his finishing kick may come to late. That said, he's shown a liking for Fibresand and that counts for plenty so if they do go a rattle he'll surely stay on to enter the fray. Apache Moon should benefit for stepping back in distance but doesn't look generously treated and his efforts here haven't yet answered whether he likes the track or not, so he's opposed along with Louisiade who is a miler without a win in 45 starts. Madison Belle brings recent winning form to the table but that was over further in plating class so, in the absence of any credible opposition, Fuzzy Cat should prove too good.
Apache Moon 25-1 (8-12) Held up, towards rear, weakened over 1f out, last of 13, 12l behind Alqaahir (8-7) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol in Feb.
Albero di Giuda (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind White Shift (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Exceedingly Good (IRE) 17-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 8, 8l behind Gee Gina (8-4) at Beverley 5f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) fm in Aug.
Madison Belle 10-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon beaten, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Flores Sea (8-12) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Jul's Lad (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression, 8th of 12, 6l behind Bishopbriggs (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Kings Ace (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 7, 10l behind Obe Gold (9-4) at Southwell 6f sell stks (6) fbs in Jan.
Lake Chini (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong, 8th of 12, 9l behind Colorus (8-12) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Oct.
Cardinal 8-1 (8-11) Always in rear, last of 11, 8l behind Cheery Cat (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Louisiade (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Guildenstern (9-0) at Kempton 7f Handicap (0-58) (4yo+) (6) pol in Feb.
Owed 50-1 (9-1) Chased leading pair, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 17l behind Not My Choice (9-8) at Southwell 6f sell stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Fuzzy Cat 15-8fav (8-9) Restrained and awkward leaving stalls, headway on inside well over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and carried head high, ran on well, won at Southwell 6f hcp (0-55) (6) fbs in Feb beating Fulford (8-12) by nk, 13 ran.
