steadied start, took keen hold behind, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced
steadied start, pulled hard in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish
held up behind, headway on inner to chase leaders 2f out, quicken to lead well inside final furlong,driven out
led, ridden and headed narrowly 2f out, stayed pressing leader and every chance entering final furlong, no extra and weakened towards finish
mid-division, ridden to challenge 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd near finish
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
prominent, ridden well over 2f out, soon outpaced
tracked leader to over 2f out, soon struggling, and weakened from 2f out
A 6lb penalty may not be enough to prevent Sovereignty completing the hat-trick at the main expense of Cornerstone and Unlimited. Hold up tactics seemed to have worked the oracle with Sovereignity and provided a decent pace is on and his apprentice does not over-do the waiting tactics he should prove that he remains a step ahead of the assessor. With two likely pace setters in the race, the selection is likely to get the race run to suit. Cornerstone is the least exposed of these. On the book he has little chance of reversing his most recent run with Unlimited. That run, his first in six months is likely to leave him spot on for today and hailing from a yard not averse to putting the money down, the market should be observed closely. Unlimited sprung a surprise on his penultimate start over course and distance but failed to trouble the winner under a penalty last time and could be in the handicapper's grip. Angel Voices disappointed last time out in a muddling claimer at Kempton but he reserves some of his best form for this circuit and goes well for his partner. Sovereignity is our selection to land the three timer.
Proud Killer 7-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 7, 6l behind Realt Na Mara (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) fbs in Jan.
Figaro Flyer (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Prominent, led after 1f, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 4l behind Distant Sun (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Fine Ruler (IRE) 13-8fav (9-3) Steadied start, headway 5f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 10l behind Tri Chara (8-12) at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Carlitos Spirit (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Led, ridden 2f out, weakening when headed inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Blacktoft (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Epidaurian King (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (9-7) Steadied start, held up, good headway over 2f out to chase leaders, not clear run, nowhere to go and heavily checked inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 5l behind Sovereignty (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Sovereignty (JPN) 5-2jt-fav (8-10) Behind, good headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Contented (8-11) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Unlimited 5-1 (8-12) Soon tracking leaders, ridden over 3f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, soon one pace, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Xpres Maite (9-1) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Zazous 16-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 12l behind Unlimited (8-8) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Cornerstone 16-1 (8-3) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Xpres Maite (9-1) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Angel Voices (IRE) 7-2 (8-6) Led 1f, tracked leader after, led again over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened quickly, 5th of 7, 5l behind Waterside (9-7) at Kempton 7f clm (6) pol in Jan.
