held up in last place, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
prominent, tracked leader 8f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
dwelt, held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression
steadied start, held up, always in rear
headway to go prominent 8f out, ridden and hung left over 2f out, led over 1f out, rider dropped rein inside final furlong, ran on
held up, never dangerous
keen, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace
Not surprisingly Pound Sign showed improved form for being stepped up to this trip at Lingfield last time and Michael Bell's colt is taken to follow up on his handicap debut here and score at the main expense of Awatuki and Jebel Ali. The last mentioned has more to do off a 4lb higher mark than when scoring in a Lingfield handicap last time, while Stage Gift has to be respected with Sir Michael Stoute's yard now among the winners but he is hardly bred to appreciate today's longer trip and may be best watched on his first start beyond seven furlongs. Clive Brittain's Fann is more exposed than most of these but may improve now that she tackles a longer trip, while Tumbleweed Glory is handicapped on form over shorter and could be interesting now that he steps up to a more suitable trip. Geoff Wragg's Giving is probably better than she showed when last seen and is another worthy of a mention although a bigger threat may come from Awatuki, whop made a winning return over course and distance recently and does not look harshly treated for his debut in this grade. Pound Sign has a pedigree more in keeping with this trip though and he is marginally preferred.
Pound Sign 9-4fav (9-3) Prominent, shaken up to lead 1f out, soon in command, comfortably, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) pol in Mar beating Sky High Guy (9-3) by 2l, 10 ran.
Giving 12-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden 3f out, never near leaders, 8th of 12, 9l behind Race For The Stars (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo lst fll (1) gs in Oct.
Jebel Ali (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden 3 lengths clear 2f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar beating Katchit (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Awatuki (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, soon ridden clear, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) pol in Mar beating Virgin Islands (8-12) by 5l, 11 ran.
Tumbleweed Glory (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Led, hung left 2f out, soon joined, headed well over 1f out, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Genre (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Nesno (USA) 25-1 (8-8) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression, 14th of 17, 39l behind Genre (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Stage Gift (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, went 2nd final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Noble Gent (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sept.
Fann (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Dwelt, held up last trio, kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 8, 7l behind Tamagin (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol.
