in touch, ridden on inside over 2f out, steady headway to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
soon ridden along in mid division, some headway to chase leaders over 3f out, no further impression
held up rear, ridden along for headway 2f out on inside, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, faded inside final furlong
slow to stride, towards the rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no further impression
towards rear, ridden from halfway, ran on from over 1f out never nearer
in touch until ridden 3f out and lost place
led, ridden over 1f out, challenged and headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride and soon outpaced, ridden and some late headway, never near the challenge
dwelt, soon in mid division, headway 3f out, chased leaders, one paced final 2f
track leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out and eased
Arc El Ciel - a c/d winner - will have his supporters in attempting to land a three-timer, although those wins came in sellers (from a rating of 56, 63 today) and he has to carrier the steadier of 10st 2lbs. Hugh The Man failed to follow up his narrow c/d win when raised 9lbs (now dropped a pound for that) and the handicapper might just have him in his grasp. Pups Pride, who is wearing cheekpieces for the first time, is a c/d winner (from 58, now 59 less rider's 5lb claim) so is back on a winning mark. As such, he gets the vote in a tricky race (although he might run at Southwell on Thursday). Arnbi Dancer has won here over 6f (from a mark of 48, now 58 less rider's 7lb allowance) and proved he stayed a mile on his only run at that trip. He tries 7f for the first time today. He's fairly lightly raced and warrants consideration if you feel the trip will suit, which it could. Quiet Times has won three races (at 5f and 6f) and has been well beaten on his two tries at this trip. His handicap mark looks about right. Miss Glory Bee has been second in three of her last four races and maybe was a bit unlucky in being collared close home last time having looked to have the race won when bursting clear of the field. She may be vulnerable again. Crusoe is 6lbs higher than for his 7f Southwell win recently and he too might be vulnerable at the weights. Sharp Gossip's Southwell win on January 11 at 7f came off a mark of 46 (now 50) but he has won from 56 (October 2000). If first-time blinkers rejuvenate him, he holds chances, although he often runs in blinkers. Pilgrim Princess has spent the last 15 months running over 5/6f but has proven that she stays 7f. She is closely weighted with Arnbi Dancer on their run here over 6f on January 13. Haithem won over a mile here two years ago when rated 53 (now 45). He steps back today from some, admittedly, uninspiring mile efforts. Indian Warrior hasn't won for 18 months and is hard to enthuse about in any case. Senor Manx Touch has a huge absence to overcome and has been beaten in sellers anyway.
