took keen hold, help up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
held up, behind, ridden over 2f out, headway on outside final furlong, nearest finish
led after 1f, set slow pace, quicken over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, not quicken
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, in touch, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
held up, headway 5f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
pulled hard, in rear, hampered 3f out, soon behind
took keen hold, held up, headway well over 1f out, no further progress
held up, in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, no extra final furlong
led 1f, always prominent, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
held up, in touch, ridden over 2f out, ran on towards finish
In the finale, the selection goes to Graham Island, with best of the rest possibly proving to be Newnham and The Violin Player. Graham Island really caught the eye on his latest run over nine furlongs here and, with that run under his belt, this unexposed Geoff Wragg runner can see off a good field for the purse on offer over today's longer trip. There are six course and distance winners in the line-up, including Newnham, who comes here seeking a four-timer and has to be considered, Dower House, who is now back to a winning mark, and Pass The Port and Heathyards Pride, who are closely weighted based on a recent course and distance run. The Violin Player got back to winning ways under a canny ride from Richard Quinn last time and a two-pounds rise in the weights does not seem excessive, so he can go well too. Desperation, who is now three pounds better off for the neck that Newnham beat him over course and distance on January 30th, can also be given a chance. Finally, Skidmark was behind the selection last time and the others have something to find, it would seem. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Graham Island.
Dower House 11-2 (9-4) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 7, 1 1/2l behind The Violin Player (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
The Violin Player (USA) 7-2 (8-13) Held up, headway on outside over 1f out, led on line, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Eastborough (8-8) by a shd, 7 ran.
Heathyards Pride 4-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Pass The Port (8-9) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Pass The Port 7-2jt-fav (8-9) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan beating Kylkenny (9-4) by 1l, 9 ran.
Torrid Kentavr (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, hampered 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Cordier (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Vicious Prince (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Always behind, weakened 5f out, 7th of 9, well behind The Nawab (8-2) at York 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
Newnham (IRE) 9-4fav (7-13) Held up, headway on outside 2f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (4) pol beating Ground Rules (8-2) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Desperation (IRE) 8-11fav (9-5) Held up in rear, headway 3f out, ridden to chase winner final 2f, no impression, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Berkhamsted (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol.
