slowly into stride, held up, not clear run over 3f out, always behind
mid-division, ridden well over 2f out, never dangerous
behind, some late headway, never nearer
led early, remained prominent, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, headway on inside well over 1f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, headway on outside final furlong, kept on same pace
took keen hold, soon led, cleared 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on
always prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, ran outside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon chasing winner, lost second over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner
Dark Moon gained an overdue success here last time out and looks set for a follow victory, Blue Knight and Wayward Shot may provide most danger. The selection was very impressive as he was slowly away and met trouble in running. The step up in trip will not be a problem as he won over a mile last year and against this modest opposition he should take a great deal of beating. Blue Knight has put in some decent enough efforts in slightly better company and should play a part in the finish today. Wayward Shot has the blinkesr on for the first time this afternoon and he has claims on the pick of last season's form. The rest of the field all put in poor efforts last time and can't seriously be considered and so we return to Dark moon as the confident selection.
Dark Moon 15-2 (8-6) Slowly into stride, held up, headway on inside when not clear run over 2f out, led well inside final furlong, won going away, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol beating Navigation (8-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Desert Lover (IRE) 66-1 (8-1) Pulled hard tracking leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 8l behind Pop Music (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Lord Chamberlain 50-1 (9-10) In rear, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 5l behind Louisiade (9-10) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol.
Apex 33-1 (9-10) Held up, not clear run over 3f out, kept on inside last, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Louisiade (9-10) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol.
Blue Knight (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Towards rear, effort 2f out, stayed on, 4th of 12, 9l behind Grand Palace (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Black Oval 8-1 (8-10) Held up, headway on over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Kahlua Bear (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Wayward Shot (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, keen, ridden, every chance over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 13, 9l behind Bobering (8-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Merdiff 14-1 (8-9) Prominent, effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Weet Yer Tern (9-0) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Savoy Chapel 7-1 (9-0) Held up, headway 2f out, keeping on when hampered 1f out, not recover, 8th of 14, 6l behind Weet Yer Tern (9-0) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Danielle's Lad 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 5l behind A Teen (9-0) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Princess Arwen 100-1 (8-6) Chased leaders 3f, 8th of 13, 6l behind Lucius Verrus (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
