tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened 2f out
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
led, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed, no extra near finish
held up mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leader over 1f out until inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong to lead near finish
held up, always behind
raced keenly, tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up behind, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden 2f out, never on terms
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
MEHENDI is the tentative suggestion in the hope that there's confidence behind his chance; Blue Tango and Zalkani rate highly with Cecily Parsley and Red Expresso others to note in the ring. Brian Ellison has a decent record at this track and it's possible that Mehendi could improve on the form that he has shown thus far as he makes his all-weather bow over a longer trip as there's plenty of stamina on the distaff side. One of his better performances came when second to Blue Tango in a Bath maiden and the Perrett horse was winning for the first time since when taking a course and distance handicap on his return from a break. He should go well from a 3lb higher mark if he can build on it. Zalkani is a veteran performer but no back number and not too badly treated but his pilot is inexperienced and of more interest may be Hughie Morrison's newcomer to handicaps, Cecily Parsley, or Red Expresso who ran well at this track last autumn when trained by Michael Bell. Yab Adee rates a mention too but a chance is taken with Mehendi.
Yab Adee 11-10fav (9-9) Tracked leader on outside, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon well clear, pushed out easily, won at Kempton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov beating Dontpaytheferryman (9-3) by 5l, 10 ran.
King's Revenge 13-2 (8-10) Raced on outside, mid-division, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 25l behind Corriolanus (8-1) at Newbury 1m 4f app hcp (5) gs in May.
My Mate Mal 16-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 14, 11l behind Applaude (9-5) at Ayr 1m 2f sell stks (4) gs.
Easterly Breeze (IRE) 9-2fav (9-4) Held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and switched right well over 1f out, no response, 9th of 12, 11l behind Ghufa (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol.
Red Expresso (IRE) 15-2 (9-6) Pushed along in rear, headway to join main group after 4f, reminders 8f out, driven 4f out, weakened and eased 2f out, 6th of 9, 25l behind Amron Hill (8-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) fbs in Dec.
Zalkani (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 14, 7l behind Annambo (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Blue Tango (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Soon tracking leader, led 10f out to 8f out, remained prominent, led well over 1f out, just held on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Madamlily (8-13) by shd, 8 ran.
Sir Billy Nick 33-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden along halfway, weakened over 2f, 9th of 10, 46l behind Mambo Sun (9-4) at Southwell 1m hcap (6) fbs in Jan.
Mehendi (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 11l behind Allformary (8-13) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Desert Leader (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon in touch racing keenly, weakened well over 1f out, last of 10, 9l behind Our Kes (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
King's Counsel (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 4f out, soon lost place, last of 11, 19l behind Shifting Gold (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Cecily Parsley 28-1 (8-12) Always behind, pushed along 5f out, struggling final 4f, tailed off, 6th of 8, 25l behind Brilliana (8-12) at Bath 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Aug.
