race wide, held up towards rear, pushed along 5f out, ridden over 3f out, chased leading pair over 2f out, driven to go 2nd over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
keen in touch, led over 6f out, ridden 3f out, edged right entering final furlong, headed towards finish
in touch, lost place 5f out, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on approaching final furlong
keen, tracked leaders, chased leader over 3f out until over 1f out, soon edged left, weakened final furlong
mounted on track, jumped awkwardly and slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
led, headed over 6f out, chased leader to over 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
always in rear
keen, chased leader to over 6f out, outpaced over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, not reach leading pair
Zaffeu has shown improved form of late, winning three of his last four starts including when taking a course and distance claimer last time and he is taken to continue winning ways, getting the verdict ahead of Muntami and Cragganmore Creek. The last mentioned was good value for his win here last month and has to be respected but a 4lb rise for that success leaves him with more to do so he may be best watched. Ronsard has not won for over a year and may be best watched, while Tioga Gold is capable but inconsistent and is hard to back with any confidence. Muntami was disappointing when last seen on the level and again over hurdles more recently but has slipped to a fair mark so has to be considered. Zaffeu has done little wrong of late though and he is taken to win again.
Zaffeu 9-4 (9-1) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, chased leader over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven and stayed on, won at Southwell 1m 6f clm (6) fbs beating Kanisorn (9-9) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Leyte Gulf (USA) 10-1 (9-2) Raced wide, soon chased leader, led narrowly over 5f out, soon ridden, headed 3f out, weakened entering final 2f, 4th of 6, 19l behind Three Boars (9-5) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Muntami (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, effort halfway, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out, tailed off, 6th of 7, 45l behind My Friend Fritz (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Cragganmore Creek 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 6f out, led 5f out, ridden clear over 2f out, kept on under pressure, won at Southwell 1m 3f amt hcp (6) fbs in Feb beating Maria Antonia (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Ronsard (IRE) 7-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, not clear run over 3f out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 11l behind Little Richard (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Only For Sue 6-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders and keen, switched left over 4f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 8l behind Boulevin (7-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f app hcp (6) gs in May '06.
Matinee Idol 16-1 (8-11) Held up, headway 4f out, soon ridden and outpaced, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Zaffeu (9-1) at Southwell 1m 6f clm (6) fbs.
Sun Quest 16-1 (8-4) Mid-division, headway over 7f out, driven over 2f out, one pace until weakened final furlong, 5th of 15, 18l behind Hue (9-11) at Redcar 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Tioga Gold (IRE) 11-1 (8-6) Started very slowly, held up in rear, headway over 7f out, weakened over 5f out, virtually pulled up, 11th of 13, well behind Dreams Jewel (8-11) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
