tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon hard driven, strongly challenged approaching final furlong, kept on well
tracked leaders, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, moderate late headway, never nearer
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, shaken up to challenge approaching final furlong, stayed on well, not reached winner
went right start, in touch, lost place over 4f out, soon behind
held up in touch, under pressure halfway, soon beaten
bumped start, chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, stayed on same pace approaching final furlong
led until over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
went left start, soon prominent, hard driven 2f out, soon weakened
Realt Na Mara's last two outings have been a little disappointing but he returns his course of preference here today and Imprimis Tagula was a winner here last time out but it is NORTHERN EMPIRE who we expect to head the field. The exposed gelding has been in good spirits of late and he was a winner at Lingfield last time out. Under similar conditions and modest company here today he can follow up on that victory. Hughie Morrison has his string in decent form recently and Realt Na Mara can continue the trend here today. The geldings two most recent outings have been poor but he returns to a track where he has recorded two course and distance wins in the past and has run some of his best races to date. On current form though he doesn't look like getting the better of the selection and a place in the minors looks likely. Imprimis Tagula has been the winner three times here from six starts all over six furlongs. He was a winner here over five furlongs last time and is in good spirits so he should at least make the frame here. Vast improvement is needed from the rest if they are to figure here. Swinbrook has won here twice this year but was disappointing at Pontefract last time out. This should prove to be a very competitive affair and we side with Northern Empire for victory.
Imprimis Tagula (IRE) 2-1fav (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, driven, stayed on to lead post, won at Southwell 5f clm stks (6) fbs in Mar beating Spic 'n Span (8-13) by hd, 6 ran.
Northern Empire (IRE) 4-9fav (8-13) Reared start, keen, chased leader after 2f, led 3f out, fading near finish, won at Lingfield 6f clm stks (6) pol in Mar beating Russian Symphony (9-0) by hd, 4 ran.
Danish Art (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous final 2f, 9th of 10, 10l behind Kabis Amigos (8-11) at Wolverhampton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Mar.
Swinbrook (USA) 15-2 (9-8) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 7th of 17, 10l behind Pickering (8-7) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Western Art (USA) 11-2 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out, soon in rear, last of 9, 26l behind The London Gang (8-8) at Wolverhampton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Mar.
Yahwudhee (FR) 16-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, went left start, always outpaced, last of 6, 15l behind Imprimis Tagula (8-13) at Southwell 5f clm stks (6) fbs in Mar.
Realt Na Mara (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 17, 12l behind Pickering (8-7) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Sheik'n'knotsterd 125-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon behind, 15th of 17, 19l behind Rowan Lodge (9-13) at Beverley 1m sell stks (5) gf.
Minimum Fuss (IRE) 80-1 (7-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 26l behind Tender Process (8-7) at Southwell 6f clm stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Government (IRE) 40-1 (8-3) Mid-division, lost place halfway, eased final 2f, last of 13, 41l behind Straight Face (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Mar.
Wiltshire (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden halfway, headway 2f out, kept on, 5th of 20, 8l behind El Dececy (9-5) at Redcar 7f sell stks (6) fm.
