took keen hold in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong
held up in touch, improved to 4th at halfway, ridden to chase leading pair over 2f out, driven and kept on one pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, driven to lead again approaching final furlong, headed well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, lost place over 3f out
raced wide close up, ridden 3f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place over 4f out, driven and rallied over 1f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never nearer
always in rear, outpaced over 4f out, soon behind
tracked leader, pressed leader halfway, ridden to lead 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong
MEZUZAH can take this race at the expense of Salerosa and Mozayada. The selection was previously a fair sort when trained by Mick Easterby and is now in the care of Julia Foster. Following a recent pipeopener over hurdles, we are hopeful that he can give a good account of himself at what are likely to be inflated odds. Salerosa has course and distance form and is likely to be a popular order after victory off a 2lb lower mark in November. Mozayada looked harshly handicapped earlier in the year though the assessor is starting to loosen the knot having had plenty of prompting on the racecourse. Indian Skipper was far from disgraced on his first attempt on the fibresand, especially as he was attempting to win a race from 13lb wrong at the weights. Elusive Fame is a previous course and distance winner and is worthy of respect on that basis alone. Hilbre Court is sure to run his usual game race without being good enough. Silver Hotspur is very well treated on some of his old form but his recent form has been incredibly moderate. We think that there is a chance of a shock result in this race and at the likely odds, Mezuzah makes plenty of appeal under the circumstances.
Salerosa (IRE) 4-1fav (8-6) Keen, held up in rear, good headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Nov beating Mcconnell (9-3) by 1l, 9 ran.
Indian Skipper (IRE) 33-1 (7-13) Slowly into stride, pushed along in rear but not far away, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, driven to go 3rd entering final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Felday (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Mozayada (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Great Charm (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Golden Penny 40-1 (9-2) In rear, headway over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 14, 13l behind Lordship (8-1) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Elusive Fame (USA) 9-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Final Verse (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Hilbre Court (USA) 7-1 (9-6) Always prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Elusive Fame (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Silver Hotspur 50-1 (8-9) Slowly away, always behind, 10th of 11, 13l behind Dash Back (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Mezuzah 12-1 (8-11) Held up, not much room 3f out, driven and kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 16, 8l behind Stevie Gee (9-1) at Doncaster 7f hcp (4) sft in Apr '08.
Border Owl (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, in rear, short-lived effort on inside over 3f out, 12th of 13, 23l behind Elusive Fame (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
