ran wide, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong
made most, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong
raced in last place, never on terms
tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
wide, in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway entering final furlong, never near leaders
held up, never on terms
always in rear
keen early, in touch, ridden and weakened 3f out
Nonrunner
With plenty of hold up horses, this could be a tactical affair so with minimal confidence, DESERT FAIRY can pinch this from Bajan Pride and Playful Asset. The selection is one of the few pace angles in this race and having already exhibited form over 1m4f; there is a plausible chance that David Probert could steal a march if the other jockeys are caught napping. Bajan Pride needs little introduction. A recent winner at Southwell, he should not want for match fitness. Playful Asset benefitted for a canny ride at Kempton. This race, although modest, looks much stronger than that so he will need to have realised plenty of improvement. Grey Command has a horror draw to work from. As is typical for his trainer's horses, he is a gritty individual for his lack of ability. Space Pirate stuck on well at Kempton having made a hash of the start. Jobekani is zero from 16 so far though has dropped down to a platers mark of 51. Course and distance winner, Royal Society, has seemingly gone backwards since that career high point though that has at least allowed the handicapper to cut him some slack. The meeting ends on a whimper rather than a bang and Desert Fairy could be the one to silence the bookmakers in the nightcap.
King of Rhythm (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 12l behind Carmenero (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Grey Command (USA) 9-2fav (8-12) Led 1f, always prominent, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f Handicap (0-58) (4yo+) (6) pol beating Shake On It (9-3) by 1l, 12 ran.
Playful Asset (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and edged right just inside final 2f, strong run over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven and kept on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol beating Fine Tolerance (8-13) by nk, 13 ran.
Royal Society 14-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden well over 1f out, squeezed through inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Grey Command (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f Handicap (0-58) (4yo+) (6) pol.
Bajan Pride 7-2 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven clear, won at Southwell 1m app hcp (0-55) (6) fbs beating Great Bounder (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Mid Wicket (USA) 5-1fav (8-10) In touch, hard ridden to challenge 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Turkish Sultan (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Jobekani (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 8l behind Chosen Forever (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Barodine 12-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden to chase leader briefly entering final 2f, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 8l behind Squirtle (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Desert Fairy 8-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind Lyrical Intent (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Space Pirate 33-1 (8-10) Slowly away, held up in rear, reminders 7f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd near finish, not reached winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Litenup (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Immaculate Red 80-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 14l behind Tyrana (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Helpmeronda 40-1 (8-6) Tracked leader weakened over 3f out, last of 10, 35l behind Fine Tolerance (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Meml 20-1 (8-9) Led until well over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Lyrical Intent (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.