mid-division, headway halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out
keen, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
always towards rear
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden when hampered well over 2f out, headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, hung right, one pace inside final furlong
steadied, switched left start, held up, ridden, headway over 1f out, running on when not clear run inside final furlong, not reach leaders
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent to 4f out, soon behind
mid-division, ridden, headway when edged left 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner
always behind
behind, ridden, headway well over 1f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, one pace final furlong
Busy Shark gets the verdict here over King's Fable and George's Flyer. Mick Channon's gelding is very lightly raced and steadily improved during the turf season. He was last seen out at Bath when fourth to the potentially smart Judraan, with some decent performers behind. If he handles this surface he should go close. Mark Johnston isn't running too many on the all-weather, but the one's he has have done well and so King's Fable looks a major threat. He returned to the track with an excellent third over course and distance and there should be more to come. George's Flyer was a winner over a slightly shorter trip here last time but was staying on strongly, he should be in the shake up. The pick of the others could be Duel In The Park, but Busy Shark could have been let in lightly here and he gets our vote.
Busy Shark (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway on inside over 3f out, under pressure over 2f out, kept on final 2f, never troubled leaders, 4th of 9, 8l behind Judraan (9-0) at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (5) gf in Oct.
George's Flyer (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Held up, headway on outside 3f out, led 1f out, ridden and ran on well, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo clm (6) pol in Dec beating Mystified (8-12) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Asbury Park 16-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 11l behind Whatizzit (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Norman Beckett 33-1 (8-1) Led, ridden and headed halfway, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Fusili (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Cragganmore Creek 10-1 (8-11) Towards rear, under pressure over 2f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, finished well, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind La Via Ferrata (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
King's Fable (USA) 13-2 (9-0) Led, headed just inside final furlong, carried right close home, ran on, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Reveur (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
Duel In The Sands 7-1 (8-5) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, hung left approaching final furlong, not reach leader, 2nd of 10, nk behind Cragganmore Creek (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn auc (7) pol in Dec.
Baltic Rhapsody 14-1 (8-2) Held up, headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 12l behind Magical Music (7-13) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
