mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, outpaced over 4f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
with leaders until over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
with leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on one pace
in rear, never a factor
raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to go 2nd final stride
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
keen, tracked leaders, every chance and chased leader over 1f out, led briefly 1f out, no extra near finish
mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, edged left and driven out
Division one of the seven furlong handicap is difficult to solve but CHIEF EXEC should go well and is selected ahead of Headache and Dvinsky, with Nacho Libre an interesting runner at likely bigger odds. Jeremy Gask has his string in decent order and his gelding has advertised that himself with solid shows throughout the winter. He's not won since July of last year but several placed efforts prior to a big run last time suggest he's ready to go in again soon. The draw in stall one shouldn't be a problem as he'll be dropped in and the faster they go the better, so the fact there seems to be plenty of pace in the race adds to his chance. Headache is one of those likely to help force the pace and Brendan Duke's charge has also been in grand form of late. The draw is more of a concern with this one as from stall two he may struggle to get to the lead, but he doesn't seem one-dimensional and can run a big race regardless as he's currently in rude health. Similar comments apply to Dvinsky, to whom the draw could also have been kinder. This admirable nine-year-old used to be better over six but he's won over this trip and perhaps now he's getting on in years it's what he needs; he should run another solid race. Nacho Libre looked one to follow when winning here in January but things have conspired against him since. He's still 8lbs above that last winning mark but with conditions back in his favour here it'd be foolish to rule out a bold effort with Graham Gibbons back on top. Unlimited scraped home last time and it would be something close to a career best were he to defy this higher mark, Fault hasn't won over this far and can be opposed, as can Ejeed off a stiff enough mark. Hip Hip Hooray races from out of the weights and Seneschal can't be backed with confidence in his current form, so we'll stick with Chief Exec to boss these.
Mister Ross 8-1 (9-2) Chased leader to 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 16, 18l behind Woodcote Place (9-3) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Chief Exec 7-2 (8-11) Hampered start, behind, came wide straight, headway over 1f out, kept on into 2nd final 100 yards, until near finish, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Fol Liam (8-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Seneschal 50-1 (8-11) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along 3f out, behind final 2f, 8th of 9, 10l behind Fol Liam (8-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Nacho Libre 12-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 8th of 10, 6l behind Sarah's Art (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Dvinsky (USA) 11-2 (8-13) Tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4l behind Misaro (8-10) at Lingfield 6f clm stks (6) pol.
Fault 5-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Replicator (8-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcap (5) pol.
Headache 9-2 (9-0) Chased leader, led 2f out, ridden and carried left inside final furlong, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Global Village (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Unlimited 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway 2f out, soon chasing leader, stayed on under pressure to lead post, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Spinning Ridge (9-4) by ns, 11 ran.
Bishopbriggs (USA) 10-1 (8-11) Went right start, in rear, well beaten well over 1f out, last of 9, 8l behind Sir Geoffrey (8-13) at Wolverhampton 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Ejeed (USA) 4-1 (8-3) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, no impression, 5th of 11, 7l behind Ocean Legend (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Hip Hip Hooray 8-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Castleburg (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
