always prominent, chased winner over 5f out, ridden well over 1f out, lost 2nd well inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
slowly away, held up in rear, headway on inside well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, came wide entering straight, headway over 1f out, soon edged left, ran on inside final furlong, not reached winner
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up, headway 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Nonrunner
An above average claimer and COBO BAY can see off Bonnie Prince Blue and Seasider. Kevin Ryan's front runner probably did not get home over nine furlongs last time but he is far better than a plater and this opportunity can be taken ahead of a tilt at an early season prize on the turf. Bonnie Prince Blue has been busy in France and won a valuable claimer over there. He faces a little more to do on official figures. Seasider is one of the few genuine seven furlong performers in this field. That said, the former Sir Michael Stoute charge, has proved a little below par in his last couple of runs. Lord Fidelio has been kept busy over the winter and with his trainer, Ollie Pears, a regular scorer in claimers, he cannot be written off so readily. Arken Lad comes in off a feather weight and the booking of Paul Hanagan seems significant. Ravi River has become something of a regular in events of this type. He reportedly broke a blood vessel at Lingfield last time out but did win a similar race off 10 stones around here. Cobo Bay is the class act in this contest and if given a soft lead, he could prove impossible to peg back.
Cobo Bay 9-2 (8-9) Went right start, led, headed over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Full Toss (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f cnd stks (4yo+) (3) pol in Feb.
Bonnie Prince Blue (8-6) 98th of 16, 2 1/4l behind Amico Fritz (8-11) at Cagnes-sur-Mer(FR) 6f hcap gd in Feb.
Lord Fidelio (IRE) 15-8fav (9-12) Held up on outer, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, took 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Little Pete (9-12) at Kempton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Feb.
Seasider 5-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2f out, chased winner 1f out, lost 2nd place near finish, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Little Pete (9-12) at Kempton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Feb.
Ravi River (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 5th of 7, 16l behind Lastkingofscotland (8-12) at Lingfield 1m sell stks (6) pol.
Titus Gent 6-1 (9-6) Prominent, ridden to go 2nd inside final furlong, kept on to lead close home, won at Wolverhampton 6f sell stks (6) pol beating Not My Choice (9-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Athaakeel (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Always in rear, 10th of 12, 20l behind Gentle Guru (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Arken Lad 14-1 (8-13) Mid-division, switched inside and effort 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase leaders final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Little Perisher (9-2) at Kempton 6f 3yo clm stks (5) pol in Feb.
Carnival Dream 25-1 (8-2) Tracked winner, until over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 9, 14l behind Wyatt Earp (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol in Feb.
