chased leader, ridden and every chance from over 2f out, until inside final furlong, no extra
prominent, ridden over 2f out, slightly hampered and lost place well over 1f out, no danger after
started slowly, always behind
held up, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
held up towards rear, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, never dangerous
always prominent, switched right well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong
led, ridden and strongly pressed from over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon clear
mid-division, ridden 3f out, not clear run well over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon switched left, always towards rear
The day's feature race is a very tricky one to call, and only a tentative vote goes to Impeller over a whole host of possibles including Royal Island, Kew Green, Forgery and Always Esteemed to name but a few. Impeller has only ever had four outings on the all-weather, and caught the eye on his first visit to Wolverhampton three weeks ago when third of five to Nayyir in a conditions event. That was his first outing since October and it looks as though William Muir has lined him up for a crack at this decent prize. Although he will need things to fall right for him, the seven-year-old has the class to take a hand. Mark Johnston also had Nero's Return earmarked for this but instead relies solely on Royal island who is a versatile type, able to adapt to the way a race is run. He just failed to last out the mile-and-a-quarter at Lingfield on what was his prep race for this and has worked well since. He might just be a bit high in the weights but is expected to give a bold account today. Always Esteemed is one of three Kevin Ryan challengers, but Neil Callan rides Bravo Maestro, so we can assume that he is the stable's main hope. Kew Green was not beaten far in the Winter Derby Trial at Lingfield but he too is high enough in the weights at present and may be susceptible to an improver such as Forgery who goes well fresh and hails from a stable that does well here in these better type of events. It really is a head-scratcher of a race, but we shall pin our hopes on Impeller.
Kew Green (USA) 11-4fav (9-6) Dwelt, soon prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Grand Passion (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (2) pol in Feb.
My Paris 33-1 (9-4) Raced far side, led and overall leader over 2f out, stayed on well, 3rd of 30, 5l behind Blue Monday (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Royal Island (IRE) 7-2 Chased leader, one-paced, 4th of 13, 11l behind Ianina at Saint Moritz 1m 2f stk (snow) in Feb.
Moayed 10-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Something (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Impeller (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Nayyir (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (2) pol in Feb.
Boo 5-1 (9-0) Took keen hold and prominent, weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 6l behind Arturius (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Wessex (USA) 3-1 (8-11) In rear, headway on inside to lead over 1f out, soon ridden clear, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Feb beating Glaramara (8-11) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Cummiskey (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, chased leading pair over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Something (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Divine Gift 4-1jt-fav (9-13) Keen, in touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 6l behind Banknote (8-2) at Haydock 1m hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Always Esteemed (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Nayyir (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (2) pol in Feb.
Bravo Maestro (USA) 4-1fav (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Capable Guest (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb.
Forgery (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Held up in touch, pushed along to chase leading pair 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 5l behind I'm So Lucky (9-0) at Newbury 1m 3f 3yo hcp (2) frm in May.
Atlantic Quest (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 12, 3l behind Capable Guest (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb.
