led to over 4f out, stayed prominent until ridden and weakened over 2f out
took keen hold early, held up, headway halfway, led 2f out, driven out
reared start, held up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to go modest over 1f out
slowly intro stride, took keen hold, soon chasing leaders, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
bumped start, chased leader to over 4f out, remained handy, switched left 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, ridden and stayed on
bumped start and always behind
went right start, prominent, went 2nd 4f out until weakened quickly well over 1f out
SECRET HERO can come out on top in this handicap; the list of alternatives is headed by Zebrano and Hellbender. The selection bombed out at Warwick last time when jockey Dane O'Neil reported that he had never been travelling. Prior to that he had been in good form, winning well at Salisbury, and he looks worth another chance. Zebrano was only narrowly beaten by My Learned Friend at Brighton last time and he does have proven form on a soft surface so he could be the fly in the ointment. Hellbender has got some solid form over 6f but he disappointed over 7f last time out and there is a question mark over his ability to see out this trip. My Best Bet could be of interest as she will go on the ground and she was the subject of a gamble at Newbury last time out. She was ulitmately disappointing that day but she had previously gone well at the same track and it would not be a surprise to see her bounce back. This is an open handicap and the vote goes to Secret Hero.
Hellbender (IRE) 15-8fav (8-11) Mid-division and keen, headway over 1f out, keeping on, hanging left from over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Dream Date (8-9) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Zebrano 12-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner over 1f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, readily held, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind My Learned Friend (9-13) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fm.
My Best Bet 5-4fav (9-1) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Peper Harow (7-13) at Newbury 7f flls hcp (5) gf.
Sunny Future (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Reared as stalls opened, behind, hanging right bend over 4f out, always last, last of 9, 9l behind Dingaan (9-11) at Bath 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Secret Hero 13-8fav (8-11) In touch, pushed along over 4f out, stayed on final furlong, never a threat, 5th of 6, 6l behind Iasia (9-7) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
One Cool Mission (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Soon mid-division, bumped over 3f out, soon outpaced, headway over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Pearl Of Manacor (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Cruise Control 100-1 (9-3) Held up and keen, raced wide on first bend over 6f out, never dangerous, last of 12, 38l behind Sovereign Remedy (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in May.
Blazing Buck 20-1 (8-11) Behind, never nearer, 7th of 13, 10l behind Phoenix Enforcer (8-12) at Leicester 1m 3yo sll (6) gs.
