chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
made all, ridden clear over 2f out, kept on well
always behind, pulled up over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, chased leader for 2f
towards rear, ridden and some headway over 2f out, never dangerous
in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final 2f
in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
pushed along behind, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
If at his best, Te Quiero could be the one to be on here, but Cardinal Venture, Arc El Ciel, What-A-Dancer and Outer Hebrides are others that must also be considered. The answer to this race might lie in trying to evaluate a race that was run over course and distance in January. In it, Te Quiero beat Glaramara by two-and-a-half lengths and meets him on the same terms today. Next home were Cardinal Venture and Arc El Ciel, who are both seven pounds better off for the three lengths that the winner beat them on that occasion, while Warden Warren was well behind on that occasion and looks to have lost his way. Although the selection has since been beaten, he was very impressive on that occasion - in first-time blinkers - and, back at this venue, he might just be worth following again. Turning to the others, and a return to the level of form that saw What-A-Dancer finish second to Moayed at Wolverhampton in late December, would give him a very good chance, and he can go well from his current mark, despite not having raced yet on this surface. Prince Dayjur comes into this race in good heart but, in keeping with those below him in the weights, races from out of the handicap, These include the David Loder entry, Outer Hebrides, who ran pretty well at Lingfield last time and is now fitted with a tongue strap for the first time. Finally, Cloud Dancer's revised mark for winning has so far worked against him. In summary, then, in what is an interesting contest, the vote goes to Te Quiero.
Te Quiero 6-1 Chased leader until over 2f out, soon struggling, 7th of 8, 21l behind Kandidate at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (C1) pol in Jan.
Glaramara 8-1 Close up, ridden to lead 1f out, edged left final furlong, stayed on, won at Southwell 6f stk (C1) fbs beating Hidden Dragon by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Cardinal Venture (IRE) 9-1 Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 9l behind Kandidate at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (C1) pol in Jan.
Soyuz (IRE) 9-2 Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway well over 1f out, weakening when bumped inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 3l behind Black Falcon at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (D2) pol in Nov.
Cloud Dancer 4-1 Towards rear, hampered over 4f out, last of 9, 12l behind Glaramara at Southwell 6f stk (C1) fbs.
What-A-Dancer (IRE) 16-1 Steadied start, took keen hold towards rear, in touch 5f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 7l behind Eccentric at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (C1) pol in Jan.
Prince Dayjur (USA) 10-11fav Made all, ridden and edged right over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f sll (G4) pol in Jan beating Smith N Allan Oils by 3l, 10 ran.
Outer Hebrides 7-2fav Close up, ridden along over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on well towards finish, 5th of 13, 1l behind Mr Lambros at Lingfield 7f hcp (D2) pol in Jan.
