chased leader 7f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
keen, close up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, not much room over 3f out, soon switched left, effort to chase leader 2f out, ridden and weakened 1f out
led, headed over 8f out, remained close up, led again over 2f out, ridden when rider dropped reins over 1f out, headed soon after, kept on same pace
slowly away, behind, pushed along and headway over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
keen, tracked leader, led over 8f out, headed over 2f out, weakened when rider dropped reins 2f out
held up mid-division, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on
An average looking handicap opens proceedings here and while the recent form of Miss Pelling and Mister Trickster is impressive we can't see them getting the better of the Mark Tompkins-trained LOCUM. The gelding made a winning return to the track when taking the honours at Yarmouth earlier this month. He went into that race a maiden after 14 runs but he rarely runs a bad race and was well on top at the finish. Now he has found the vital first win we expect him to continue to do so while racing at this level. Miss Pelling has been held on four previous attempts over turf. Her sole win came on the Polytrack and it could be that the artificial surface brings out the best in her. She wasn't disgraced when finishing runner up at Nottingham last time and we expect a similar outcome today. Mister Trickster is without a win since 2004. He looks to be hitting some decent form of late though and did well to take third last time after completely missing the break, as is his custom.
Channel Crossing 16-1 (8-2) Led, ridden 3f out, soon headed and weakened, last of 8, 14l behind Always Bold (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcap (3) sft in Sep.
Locum 3-1fav (8-11) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Dancing Jest (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Gasat (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Prominent, led over 3f out, ridden final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 13, hd behind Aypeeyes (9-9) at Bath 1m 2f sell stks (6) gd in Apr.
Hidden Door (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Behind, pushed along 3f out, never reached leaders, 9th of 12, 7l behind Pha Mai Blue (8-10) at Lingfield 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Miss Pelling (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Led, headed over 6f out, tracked leader, led again and hung left over 1f out, driven and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Dream Of Olwyn (8-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) fm.
Nassar (IRE) 5-2 (8-8) Pressed leader 9f out, stayed upsides from 2f out until no extra towards finish, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Harlequinn Danseur (7-13) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (5) fm.
Dubburg (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in last place, headway approaching 2f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Paint The Town Red (9-1) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Mister Trickster (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Started very slowly, held up in rear, ridden along over 2f out, good headway over 1f out, stayed to take 3rd in final furlong, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Landucci (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
Strategic Knight (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Always behind, 11th of 12, 23l behind Sign of The Cross (9-12) at Leicester 1m sell stks (6) gd.
Surprise Pension (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Prominent on outer, chased leaders 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, not quicken, weakened final furlong, 8th of 15, 6l behind Sagunt (8-12) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
