led early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon clear, ran on
held up, ridden over 3f out, headway 2f out, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
steadied and switched left start, behind, ridden over 2f out, headway and hung left over 1f out, never dangerous
prominent, lost place 6f out, weakened over 3f out
soon led, headed over 6f out, led again over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, not reach leaders
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
Magic Warrior gets the nod over Welsh Whisper and Merlins Profit, while Ballere would also have to come into the reckoning after posting a solid performance on his latest start. Ballere was just behind the selection when they met here last month and has to be respected on that effort. He has adapted well since arriving from Jersey and is one to bear in mind for an each-way play if the price is right. Merlins Profit also has form that ties in with the last named and has a similar recent profile. However, his confidence was boosted with a seven-furlong success here eight days ago and he is obviously at the top of his game. Welsh Whisper did extremely well to score after missing the break in a similar heat on her latest start. And is also very much respected. However, like many of these, she rarely strings together back-to-back performances and is hard to predict. Therefore, we take our chances with Magic Warrior, who will be suited by the likely strong pace and can gain compensation for his near miss from last time.
Merlins Profit 5-2fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) std in Apr beating Geojimali (9-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Icecap 15-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 13, 3l behind Musical Gift (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Magic Warrior 10-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 13, shd behind Musical Gift (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Wanna Shout 9-1 (9-2) In rear, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Musical Gift (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Ballare (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Musical Gift (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Pending (IRE) 9-1 (8-5) Held up, headway 6f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Distant Country (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f app clm (6) pol in Apr.
Zariano 13-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 10l behind Bijou Dan (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Apr.
Welsh Whisper 13-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, detached in rear, smooth headway on inside 2f out, shaken up approaching final furlong, led close home, won at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) std in Apr beating Dexileos (8-12) by a nk, 13 ran.
