led until ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, soon clear, comfortably
chased leaders, ridden edged left and chased winner 1f out, no impression
held up, headway well over 1f out, went 3rd post
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, behind when edged left over 1f out
took keen hold in mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
pressed leader, raced keenly, edged left when fading over 1f out
took keen hold, held up in rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
Few that can be ruled out of this competitive handicap so our preference for MIAMI GATOR is only marginal, with Pomeroy and Darling Buds heading a lengthy list of dangers. Andrew Elliott keeps the ride aboard this three-year-old having guided him to victory last time, an effort for which the horse has been given a 4lb penalty by the handicapper. That win came at Lingfield over today's trip but this course shouldn't pose too much of a problem, so this one represents the most solid proposition in the line-up and gets the vote. Not that this will be easy; Pomeroy and Darling Buds are handicap debutants from strong yards and both need market attention. Without that guide our preference is for the Dascombe runner, who is related to some decent sprinters but looks to stay this trip well enough. A perch of 63 gives connections plenty to work with and similar comments apply to Darling Buds, whose mark of 58 might in time prove generous. Kevin Ryan's charge isn't sure to be suited by stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time today, but she's of interest anyway having shown progressive form in maiden company. The Glamour Cat is bred to be decent and has his first start for Marco Botti, so again the market will tell us more with regards to this former Dermot Weld-trained horse's chance. Vilnius looked a non-stayer at Lingfield when behind our selection last time and the form should comfortably be confirmed, so more of a threat may emerge in the shape of Nabrina although her pilot is somewhat inexperienced. Infinity World and Bertie Buckle are both unexposed, with Hayley Turner's booking aboard the latter interesting, so both appeal more than Sixties Rock who has shown little and Scintillating who looks poor and has work to do at the weights. This is a race where the market may just prove more useful than the form book so caution is advised, but without the aide of the former we'll go with the form credentials of Miami Gator.
Pomeroy 11-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, no extra final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Playboy Blues (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
The Glamour Cat (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Mid-division best, weakened 1 1/2f out, 9th of 10, 10l behind Willyconker (8-11) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp 60-90 pol in Nov.
Miami Gator (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) in Dec beating Rightcar (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Vilnius 7-1 (9-6) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, kept on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 8th of 10, 6l behind Miami Gator (9-5) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) in Dec.
Infinity World 10-1 (9-0) Held up, kept on over 1f out, no extra inside last, 6th of 12, 4l behind Two Kisses (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn fll auc stks (5) pol in Dec.
Darling Buds 33-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Two Kisses (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn fll auc stks (5) pol in Dec.
Bertie Buckle (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, 9th of 11, 7l behind Passion Overflow (8-12) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Sixties Rock 11-1 (8-10) Keen, held up towards rear, ridden halfway, driven and kept on, never nearer, 6th of 9, 6l behind Tealing (9-2) at Southwell 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Nabrina (IRE) 17-2 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind The Love Guru (9-1) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Scintillating (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 3f out, 6th of 9, 15l behind Tiger Hawk (8-11) at Southwell 1m 2yo sell stks (6) fbs in Dec.
