with leader early, tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place 4f out
pushed along towards rear, mid-division halfway, chased leader over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, faded final furlong
always behind
held up, never dangerous
held up in touch, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, reminders over 6f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out until one pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 3f out, one pace
held up towards rear, good headway to go 2nd over 1f out, led inside last, kept on well
tracked leaders, led after 4f, headed inside last, one pace
led 4f, tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out
Mark Brisbourne does well with his runners here and SQUIRTLE can add to his tally; Mesbaah and Kickahead are the others for the shortlist. The selection won well here last month when she narrowly beat Little Carmela and on the evidence of that win she can get her head in front again as she did appear to score with a bit in hand. Mesbaah returns to the level after a spell over hurdles and although he would have a chance on the pick of his turf form, he has yet to be even placed in three starts on the all-weather. Kickahead's record on the all-weather is even worse as he has yet to even finish in the money in seven attempts. However, his effort here on Monday was a little more encouraging and it will be interesting to see if he can build on that. Covert Mission is at least fit from a winter campaign over hurdles but he looks to have a little to find with the principles and we will return to Squirtle as the one to beat.
Command Marshal (FR) 16-1 (9-2) Prominent, pushed along 6f out, weakened 3f out, 6th of 9, 13l behind Dani's Girl (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Nakoma (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) In touch, hard ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 5l behind King Red (9-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Summer Affair (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Held up behind, outpaced over 4f out, never on terms, 8th of 11, 13l behind Russian Music (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Mesbaah (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Held up in touch, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 12, 15l behind Beat The Shower (8-8) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Bold Adventure 14-1 (8-10) Always in rear, ridden and struggling over 3f out, 9th of 12, 16l behind King Red (9-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Time To Play 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Mehendi (8-8) at Southwell 1m 3f app mdn stks (6) fbs.
Squirtle (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Held up, reminders over 4f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, edged left, eased towards finish cheekily, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Little Carmela (9-4) by hd, 11 ran.
Supernoverre (IRE) 6-1 (8-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Gargano (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Sir Sandicliffe (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Slowly in to stride, held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, hung left over 1f out, always behind, 8th of 10, 11l behind Fantasy Ride (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Kickahead (USA) 2-1fav (8-12) Prominent, pulled hard, chased leader 9f out, led just over 3f out, headed 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Fantasy Ride (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Aaman (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Chased leader to 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out, 12th of 13, 39l behind Dazzling Begum (8-13) at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Bret Maverick (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Broke well and keen, raced prominently, ridden halfway, weakened over 4f out, 12th of 13, 50l behind Young Scotton (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov '07.
Covert Mission 4-1fav (9-0) Prominent, every chance over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Beat The Shower (8-8) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
