tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
prominent to halfway
led, headed 2f out, ridden and no extra final furlong
hampered at start, pushed along towards rear, never near to challenge
held up, pushed along and brought wide, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, pushed along and raced wide, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, no extra final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach winner
dwelt, held up, not much room over 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
Chispa made a bold bid to make all the running over course and distance two weeks ago before eventually being worn down close home by Grandma Lily and is fancied to go one better here at the main expense of Festive Affair and Eastern Blue. The last mentioned confirmed her liking for this surface when finding just Perfect Night too good in the second division of the same race that the selection ran in. She can race off the same mark here and has to be respected but preference is for Chispa, who is well drawn in stall three to make the most of her good speed and remains well treated off just a 2lb higher mark than last time. The David Nicholls-trained Shifty has been running well of late but is not certain to be suited by the drop back in distance so a bigger threat may come from Festive Affair. Brian Smart's gelding comes here fresher than most and is not badly treated on the pick of his form. Jalouhar has more to do than when winning a maiden over course and distance on his most recent start, while Game Guru is another worthy of a mention but it is to be hoped that his jockey remembers to weigh in having failed to do so when filling third spot at Wolverhampton last month. This may not be as competitive an event as the numbers suggest though and the vote goes to Chispa.
