towards rear, ridden 3f out, never a danger
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on
in touch, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and soon weakened
led and keen, headed halfway, ridden and one pace final furlong
towards rear, never a factor
in touch, lost place 7f out, tailed off and virtually pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden from over 4f out, kept on
in touch, closer order 9f out, led halfway, ridden over 1f out, soon clear, pushed out
held up, in rear, switched right and headway 4f out, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway over 5f out, ridden to chase winner final furlong, some impression when edged left
prominent and keen, joined leader over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, some late progress
mid-division, ridden and lost place over 4f out
Blue Hedges, Sea Map and Cumbrian Knight are the three for the shortlist here and the vote is given to Blue Hedges. The selection won here last time for today's pilot and he could not be in better form. The step-up in trip should work in his favour and from a good draw he is taken to land the spoils. Sea Map returns to the level after a spell over fences but two of his three career wins have come here and with a decent amateur in the plate he should go well. Cumbrian Knight is weighted to run our selection very close after finishing behind him here back in November. He has to be respected and looks a banker for a place. Khanjar may find this trip too far and he is opposed and we are happy to stick with Blue Hedges who looks to have really solid claims.
Forfeiter (USA) 14-1 (10-6) Mid-division, switched to outside 5f out, behind final 3f, 11th of 13, 9l behind Sol Rojo (10-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Sea Map 11-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, led well over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Nov '05 beating Champion Lion (9-6) by a hd, 12 ran.
Blue Hedges 15-8fav (10-12) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Cumbrian Knight (10-6) by 1l, 9 ran.
Candarli (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 4f out, soon chased leaders, one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 3l behind Tycheros (8-4) at Lingfield 2m app hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Khanjar (USA) 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no headway and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 12l behind Burgundy (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Tass Heel (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Always rear, well behind final 3f, 8th of 13, 11l behind Paradise Flight (8-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp (E3) pol in Jan '05.
Alagon (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Towards rear and never a factor, 15th of 20, well behind Vicars Destiny (9-6) at York 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in May '05.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Dwelt, headway 8f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Blue Hedges (10-12) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Countback (FR) 20-1 (8-12) Always in rear, last of 12, 19l behind Twist Bookie (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Reminiscent (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, headway over 1f out, not reach leaders, 7th of 12, 6l behind Twist Bookie (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Moonshine Bill 9-1 (8-9) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 19l behind Lysandra (10-4) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Malibu (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 13l behind Little Richard (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Phoenix Eye 25-1 (9-3) Started slowly, always behind, last of 14, 31l behind Shaheer (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol in Nov.
