tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, led well over 1f out, driven out
keen, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
always in rear
close up, ridden over 2f out, hung right and looked reluctant over 1f out, no impression final furlong
close up, ridden 4f out, effort entering final furlong, kept on same pace
behind, ridden 7f out, still plenty to do over 2f out, driven over 1f out, ran on final furlong, snatched 2nd post
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden and effort over 1f out, no impression final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
mid-division, ridden halfway, headway and hung right over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd post
ROUGH SKETCH can take this handicap, while both Sand Repeal and Dazzling Begum are more than capable of entering the frame. The selection is tried in first time blinkers after failing to sparkle on his return to the track last time out. He won off a mark of 53 on the all-weather at Wolverhampton in February but has failed to live up to expectations since. That said, he has shown more than enough to warrant respect and if the blinkers can give him renewed enthusiasm he will not be too far away come the business end of the race. Top weight Sand Repeal won back to back races at Windsor and Chester last summer but has struggled since. As a consequence he has been dropped by the handicapper to what looks like a winnable mark so if at his best he can run well. Dazzling Begum has been knocking on the door of late without getting his head in front. He does look a little exposed on what he has achieved to date and only has place claims at best. Rough Sketch is the form horse in the race and is the percentage call.
Sand Repeal (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) With winner 2f, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong to go 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Drawn Gold (10-13) at Warwick 1m 5f (6) gs.
Rough Sketch (USA) 10-3fav (9-4) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 29l behind Miss Keck (9-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Linby (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, always in rear, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 9, well behind Hoar Frost (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 3f 3yo sll (6) gd in Oct.
Pinnacle Point 25-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 11, 3l behind Medieval Maiden (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol.
Good Effect (USA) 16-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 10th of 12, 12l behind Terminate (8-7) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fm in May.
Phoenix Hill (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Chased leader until over 7f out, stayed handy until ridden and weakened quickly over 3f out, last of 12, 25l behind Prince Charlemagne (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Generous Lad (IRE) 10-3 (8-1) Tracked leader until 7f out, remained close up, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Sagunt (9-1) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Karmei 20-1 (7-9) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 13, 12l behind Coral Shores (9-3) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Dazzling Begum 7-2 (8-9) Ridden over 3f out, kept on under pressure final 2f, no impression with first 2, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Mystified (9-0) at Redcar 1m 6f (6) gf.
Mid Valley 33-1 (8-5) Towards rear, headway 3f out, effort over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 14, 8l behind Newmarket Story (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 3f hcp (6) gf.
