made all, ridden over 1f out, edged right and stayed on final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen, soon tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, kept on, unable to quicken inside final furlong
held up, in touch, ridden 2f out, headway to dispute 3rd entering final furlong, kept on same pace
keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
A decent handicap this, with all the runners previously successful over the trip, with our preference being for RED SOMERSET ahead of Princely Hero and Trafalgar Square. The selection is Ron Hodges' only runner on the card, and comes here in good form, after being second in a better race here just over a week ago after previously winning a Wolverhampton claimer. But for a little trouble in running and a lack of space to get his head in front, he may well have maintained his 100 percent record on the all-weather. Princely Hero switched to Marco Botti's stable in the autumn after a decent career in Ireland, and so far has been first and third at Wolverhampton. The drop to a mile for this step up in grade looks a positive. Trafalgar Square from the in-form Michael Attwater stable is the bottom weight and comes here looking for back to back wins, albeit the previous win was a lower grade contest than this. Electric Warrior has won over course and distance, but although boasting 8 wins and more places from 35 runs, none of the victories have been at this high a level. So our vote goes to Red Somerset.
Red Somerset (USA) 9-2 (8-5) Chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, soon not much room, kept on, 2nd of 10, nk behind Flipando (8-13) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Art Man 13-2 (8-8) Raced wide, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 10l behind Suits Me (9-10) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Princely Hero (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Abbondanza (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Bluejain 9-4 (9-4) Steadied in rear, headway and not clear run over 2f out, soon switched left to challenge approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Great Leighs 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol beating Summer Winds (9-3) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Ocean Legend (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Abbondanza (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Trafalgar Square 11-4 (8-13) Dwelt, tracked leaders after 2f, switched right and ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Napoletano (8-13) by 2l, 10 ran.
Electric Warrior (IRE) 13-8 (9-4) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, driven out, won at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol beating Desert Dreamer (9-0) by a shd, 10 ran.
