held up in mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten
made all, hard driven when challenged over 1f out, stayed on strongly under pressure, comfortably
mid-division, headway over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no chance with winner
mid-division, switched left and headway over 1f out, never nearer
hampered start, always in rear
held up in touch, switched right to challenge over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, switched left over 2f out, soon no impression
behind, some late headway, never dangerous
always behind
settled in mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer
went right start, tracked leaders, lost place well over 2f out
tracked winner, effort over 1f out, soon carried left, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, under pressure over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, soon faded
dwelt, behind, ridden when lost action and fell over 1f out
held up in touch, effort over 2f out, under pressure when hampered over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked winner, switched left to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace
This is as tricky as betting in handicaps gets and TRANSFER is speculatively suggested to fend off the likes of Bere Davies, Moon Lightning and Batchworth Blaise. The last named carries 6lb extra for winning a similar race on the all-weather six days ago and obviously arrives here in good heart. However, it's now going to take a career best effort to follow up last week's success and others may have a bit more to offer. Ryan Moore takes over from an apprentice for the ride aboard Moon Lightning and this will attract some interest on jockey bookings alone. However, it's debatable as to whether the going will be absolutely ideal for the Mark Tompkins-trained gelding unless a deluge takes any sting out of the ground before the start. Support for Bere Davies also comes with a health warning; his modest strike-rate from 37 previous starts tells its own story. Therefore, the long absence of Transfer may not be such a hindrance in this company. The lightly raced five-year-old will start the season on a (handicap) mark 19lb lower than he was allotted after winning a Lingfield maiden two years ago. He obviously suffered a few training set-backs since then but, assuming he retains his ability and enthusiasm, this may be a good time to side with Transfer as he bids to reward the faith shown in him by his connections.
Lord of The Dance (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, headway 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on under pressure final furlong, won at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Quiquillo (8-13) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Kilburn 14-1 (9-6) Chased leaders stands side to over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 17, 14l behind Camerooney (9-0) at Doncaster 7f ldy hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Bomber Command (USA) 14-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out until over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 14th of 16, 23l behind Make Amends (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Transfer 8-1 (9-4) Pulled hard, held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression until kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Sapphire Prince (9-3) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (5) gf in Oct.
Hip Hip Hooray 14-1 (8-12) Held up in rear on outside, came wide bend over 3f out, hung left inside final furlong, never in contention, 7th of 9, 8l behind Dancing Jest (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Moon Lightning (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, soon switched right to race up stands side rail, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 10, nk behind Shared Moment (9-0) at Warwick 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) sft.
Harare 25-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 12, 8l behind Hobson (8-11) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Blue Aura (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Hampered start, outpaced in rear, never a factor, 10th of 16, 8l behind Mayoman (8-11) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Batchworth Blaise 8-1 (8-6) Held up well in rear, good headway on outside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, readily, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Dr Wintringham (9-3) by 1l, 11 ran.
Trafalgar Square 14-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, behind, pushed along 3f out, some headway final furlong, never troubled leaders, 8th of 11, 5l behind Expensive Problem (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Esteem Lord 11-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, in mid-division, no progress from over 2f out, 7th of 12, 11l behind Amber Sunset (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Bere Davis (FR) 8-1 (9-0) Chased winner, ridden 2f out, no chance over 1f out, lost modest 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Aestival (8-11) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Count Ceprano (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Held up in mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 4th of 12, 7l behind Amber Sunset (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
See Elsie Play 12-1 (8-10) Dwelt, in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 14l behind Inch Lodge (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Second To Nun (IRE) 11-1 (8-4) Chased leader, challenged 3f out, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Miss Bootylishes (8-13) at Ffos Las 1m fll hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Apr.
Cruise Control 20-1 (9-4) In touch, hard ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 12, 5l behind Straight Face (10-6) at Salisbury 7f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
