always prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
soon chasing leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, not quicken
led early, settled in touch, ridden over 2f out, no real progress
slowly into stride, behind, driven over 4f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway final furlong, never nearer
driven along over 4f out, always in rear
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden 2f out, one pace
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
always prominent, ridden over 3f out, ran on inside final furlong
ridden 4f out, always behind
Desert Lover is improving at a rate of knots and is taken to land this event from Beneking and Desert Light. The selection made it two wins in a row whwn slaughtering Sriology and company at Southwell last Thursday. He has been punished by the handicapper but the ease of that victory suggests he can land the hat-trick this afternoon. Beneking landed adecnt looking banded contest here last month with today's rival Desert Light close up in third. There should once again be little between them, but Beneking is just prefered. Blushing Russian has strong claims on the pick of last year's form and may do best of the remainder, but Desert Lover is a progressive sort and can go in agin this afternoon.
Desert Lover (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon clear, easily, won at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs beating Sriology (8-12) by 5l, 11 ran.
Beneking 7-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, led 2f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Jan beating Davids Mark (9-3) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Revien (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Outpaced, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 6l behind Cashel Mead (10-10) at W'hampton 5f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Prince of Gold 11-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Desert Lover (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs.
Desert Light (IRE) 9-2 (8-7) Held up, headway over 1f out, squeezed through 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol beating Mind Alert (8-9) by a nk, 13 ran.
Colloseum 9-2 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 15l behind Cayman Breeze (9-3) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Nov.
Blushing Russian (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, always behind, 12th of 14, 14l behind Golden Spectrum (8-6) at Southwell 1m app banded (7) fbs in Jan.
Joe Jo Star 16-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden halfway, weakening when not much room over 2f out, last of 12, 25l behind Vancouver Gold (8-7) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Jan.
