towards rear, ridden and some headway on outer over 6f out, weakened over 3f out
held up mid-division, soon in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 8f out, no impression from over 1f out
in rear, pushed along over 8f out, tailed off over 3f out
led, ridden and headed 3f out, no extra and lost 2nd place entering final furlong
awkward from stalls and slowly into stride, held up mid-division, pushed along 9f out, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, weakened over 3f out, soon eased
held up towards rear, ridden over 5f out, kept on same pace, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on to chase winner entering final furlong, no impression
chased leader, led 3 out, clear over 1f out, eased towards finish
towards rear, reminders over 8f out, never dangerous
An unfeasibly bad staying handicap with ZAFFEU a reluctant selection at the expense of Dulce Domum and Cragganmore Creek. Although he has been called a few names in the past, Zaffeu showed plenty of resolution to take his most recent race at Southwell. The cheekpieces that accompanied it are on again today and on reflection a 3lb rise seems relatively fair. Dulce Domum steps up in trip. She does bring winning form to the table though hardly convinced about her ability to stay two miles when well held at Beverley. Cragganmore Creek is usually seen in amateur riders events. He probably stays the trip and this will be the first occasion for quite some time that he is utilised under professional handling. Bandanaman kept on over 1m4f so the decision to step up seems a sensible one. Orkney represents a yard that have had a decent winner with their flat runners so the market is watched about him despite having to give away lumps of weight all around. Rare Coincidence has a very positive jockey booking though this dual purpose performer has not been firing of late. Stagecoach Emerald does not win often though rates as best of the rest. Not a race that will linger too long in the memory and with minimal confidence, we return to Zaffeu.
Orkney (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Held up in touch, reminders halfway, ridden over 2f out, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Veloso (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Bandanaman (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 8, 5l behind Daaweitza (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Zaffeu 14-1 (9-5) Held up, headway on outside over 6f out, chased leaders over 4f out, led well over 3f out, clear inside final 3f, hung left to far rail over 1f out, just held on, won at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb beating Victory Quest (10-5) by hd, 8 ran.
Stagecoach Emerald 50-1 (8-4) In rear, pushed along briefly 11f out, ridden over 4f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 6l behind Benedict Spirit (9-5) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Rare Coincidence 25-1 (8-10) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on, 4th of 13, 6l behind Broughtons Point (8-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Dulce Domum 33-1 (8-6) Dwelt, soon tracked leaders, led 3f out, pushed clear 2f out, ran on, won at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (0-55) (6) fbs beating They All Laughed (9-0) by 5l, 11 ran.
Cragganmore Creek 6-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, driven over 5f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 12, 7l behind Jackie Kiely (10-10) at Southwell 1m 3f am hcp 0-55 (6) fbs in Feb.
Telling Stories (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Dropped out start, held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 6l behind Sir Sandicliffe (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f app hcp 0-60 (6) std in Feb.
Davana 16-1 (8-1) In touch, ridden over 4f out, plugged on, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Dunaskin (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f sell stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Mountain Forest (GER) 33-1 (8-11) Held up, struggling from 6f out, 5th of 9, 26l behind Aaman (9-13) at Southwell 1m 6f am hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
Just Dan 28-1 (8-10) Always behind, 9th of 11, 44l behind Saffron's Son (8-10) at Catterick 1m 6f 3yo sll (6) gf in Sep.
Ice And Fire 40-1 (8-6) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 9l behind No Rules (8-5) at Yarmouth 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
