in rear, never a factor
switched left soon after start, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
in rear, some headway over 2f out, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace and lost 2nd inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong
in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Despite the fact he's only got one victory to his name, RED JADE has often looked the type to improve beyond a mark in the low eighties and can prove that by landing this contest from Spirit of A Nation and Best Prospect. Richard Fahey's runner should be at home on this ground as his sole victory came on soft, while several placed efforts since have suggested he's got a good race in him. He took second on his seasonal debut last year off a pound higher mark, so there are no real fitness concerns and the horse appeals as well treated. Spirit of A Nation looks to be the biggest threat. David Brown's horse looked progressive in 2008 before injury forced him off the track, but connections look set to be rewarded for the patience judged on a couple of good runs on his return late last year. He takes a step into the unknown trip-wise but is related to winners over further and should have no problem with it, so as an unexposed improver due respect is given. Best Prospect is similar to our selection in some respects as he's often scuppered some winning opportunities. That said, he's won six of 42 starts on the turf and much of that has come on soft ground, so off a fair mark he's likely to run his race. Aspro Mavro needs a market check as an unexposed sort from a good yard but he's yet to win a race and the form of his best effort, when second to Luc Jordan, hasn't quite worked out as well as it might have. Buddy Holly has a fitness advantage and races off a lower mark than when second on the all weather last time; he has winning form on soft and could run a very nice race indeed. Charlie Cool last won off a mark of 97, so this rating of 80 should make him a shoe-in, but since joining Ruth Carr he's regressed and can only be watched along with Opera Prince who looks a shade high in the weights. This is a competitive handicap as you'd expect, but Red Jade could be a bit better than this mark and is taken to score.
Spirit of A Nation (IRE) 4-1fav (9-3) Held up, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Faithful Ruler (9-4) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Red Jade 5-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Veiled Applause (8-6) at York 1m 2f app hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Red Kestrel (USA) 12-1 (9-9) Mid-division, driven and outpaced over 2f out, never able to challenge, 6th of 8, 10l behind Lochiel (9-12) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Sep.
Charlie Cool 11-2 (9-4) Slightly hampered start, held up in rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 6th of 8, 4l behind Just Bond (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Best Prospect (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden approaching final furlong, stayed on, 5th of 14, 6l behind Hollow Green (8-11) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Aspro Mavro (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 20, 6l behind Jordaura (8-11) at Doncaster 7f app hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Nov.
Opera Prince 16-1 (9-0) In touch, pushed along 3f out, effort 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Decision (8-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Hollow Green (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Keen, tracked winner until halfway, ridden 3f out, one pace from over 2f out, 4th of 5, 8l behind Spruce (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Buddy Holly 11-4fav (9-3) Led at steady pace, headed 8f out, stayed handy, headway to track leading pair over 2f out, not clear run and switched left just over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd final 100 yards, not pace to reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Taaresh (8-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcap (4) pol.
Kidlat 11-2 (8-3) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 6l behind Gaily Noble (9-4) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) pol.
Spahi (FR) (9-4) 12th of 18, 7l behind Archissime (9-5) at Deauville(FR) 1m 1f stk std in Dec.
