raced wide and close up, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, lost 2nd post
always in rear, never a factor
close up, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
in rear, pushed along 4f out, headway under pressure from over 1f out, stayed on near finish
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 4f out, never a factor
always in rear
chased winner untill over 2f out, soon ridden and slightly outpaced, driven over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd post
made all, ridden 2f out, hung right inside final furlong, driven and flashed tail towards finish
Julie Camacho's YOUNG GLADIATOR came back well from a three-month break when landing a handicap here over six furlongs at the beginning of the month and, while a 5lb rise for that success makes this tougher for the five-year-old, he is entitled to improve for that latest start and can follow up in a race where the main dangers look to be Kensington and Whatyouwoodwishfor. Richard Fahey's gelding won well here over six furlongs last month and he has to be respected but is far from certain to appreciate the extra furlong today having disappointed over seven before and he looks best watched. Gentle Guru is another not certain to appreciate the return to seven furlongs and of more interest may be Charles Parnell, who has a good record on the Fibresand and has run well here in his last two starts but he is probably better over a furlong shorter. Paul Flynn's Way West has run creditably on the Polytrack at Dundalk of late but looks best left out of calculations on his British debut and a bigger threat is likely to come from Alan McCabe's Kensington, who has been running better of late and has slipped to a fair mark. Julie Camacho's Young Gladiator has an obvious chance though and he looks the one to be with.
Kensington (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Took keen hold in rear, switched right over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Smalljohn (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Charles Parnell (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Poet's Place (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Young Gladiator (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Prominent, led half a furlong out, kept on, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Westwood (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Gentle Guru 12-1 (8-9) In rear, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Poet's Place (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Diamond Surprise 14-1 (8-11) Raced keenly, tracked leader, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 16l behind Dinner Date (8-10) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Way West (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, 12th of 14, 11l behind Liberty To Rock (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3yo mdn stks pol in Nov.
Tobrata 5-1 (9-4) Close up, hard driven to challenge well over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Positivity (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Whatyouwoodwishfor (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Broke smartly, made all, ridden halfway, driven and all out, won at Southwell 6f hcp (0-55) (6) fbs in Jan beating Fuzzy Cat (8-7) by 1l, 13 ran.
