soon pushed along in mid-division, weakened 2f out
with winner, ridden and every chance from 2f out, driven and edged left final furlong, no extra near finish
went left start, always behind
chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
dwelt, outpaced, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
soon pushed along and outpaced, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on close home
chased leaders over 3f
made all, ridden 2f out, ran out
slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, 3f
with winner to halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, outpaced halfway, switched left, kept on under pressure, final furlong
Our shortlist here consists of Little Ridge, Tag Team, Whinhill House and possibly Awake, with the vote going to Little Ridge. The Hughie Morrison-trained selection nearly broke the track record when scoring over course and distance last time, obviously comes here in good heart and, despite a five-pound rise and the possibility of this race coming too soon, must be given a chance again. Tag Team made late headway when held up last time, and ran well from today's mark when second over course and distance in December. A repeat of that gives him claims, and Whinhill House, who notched a hat-trick of wins between December and January before disappointing last time, could bounce back to form in first-time cheekpieces. Of the others, Johnston's Diamond, who has mainly won at six but who has scored over Chester's five, could be reasonably handicapped now, and Midnight Tycoon is possibly the type to go well fresh. The others seem better at longer trips or have something to prove overall now, although some might say it's a little bit quick to be writing off Orpen Wide just yet. However, that said, the vote still goes to Little Ridge.
Little Ridge (IRE) 9-4fav With leader, led 3f out, ridden and ran on, won at Southwell 5f hcp (D2) fbs in Jan beating Majik by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Palace Theatre (IRE) 14-1 Raced alone in centre, in touch, ridden over 1f out, edged left and stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 20, 2l behind If By Chance at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (E) gf in May.
Johnston's Diamond (IRE) 20-1 Dwelt, keen, soon tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Glaramara at Southwell 6f stk (C1) fbs.
Midnight Tycoon 4-1co-fav Raced stand side, chased leader to halfway, soon weakened, last of 9, 33l behind Make Us Flush at Haydock 5f 2yo hcp (E) gs in Jul.
Pawan (IRE) 9-1 Chased leaders, ridden halfway, effort and not clear run over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Certain Justice at Southwell 7f hcp (E3) fbs.
Whinhill House 8-1 Led after 2f, headed over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 9th of 12, 7l behind Indian Maiden at Lingfield 6f app hcp (E3) std.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 28-1 Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 10l behind Glaramara at Southwell 6f stk (C1) fbs.
Tag Team (IRE) 33-1 Held up in rear, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 10, 2l behind Treasure Cay at Lingfield 5f hcp (C1) pol.
