held up towards rear, plenty to do 2f out, good headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
took keen hold in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, no headway over 1f out, soon outpaced
held up in touch, hampered on rail 5f out, slightly lost place, behind over 2f out, never dangerous
settled in rear, always behind, never in contention
led, ridden over 2f out, stayed on gamely until headed well inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
in touch on inner when stumbled 5f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, kept on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders
slowly into stride, pulled hard, behind mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, stayed on one pace
steadied start, raced keenly towards rear, saddle slipped soon after start, headway on outer to chase leader 3f out, still every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, every chance, not quite pace of winner, took 2nd close home
tracked leaders to over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
prominent, ridden to challenge approaching final furlong, quickened to lead well inside final furlong, ran on well
slowly into stride, took keen hold towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, weakened over 1f out
Only 7lb between top and bottom in this competitive handicap and from a shortlist of Loyal Royal, Liberty Valance, Melt, Torquemada and SHADED EDGE, it is the last-named who is tentatively selected. Hard to be confident about anything in the line-up however at least the selection comes here in decent form having run well in defeat since winning at the track back in December. Although he is perhaps best over six furlongs in a strongly-run race, the feeling is that from a fair draw he should fare well. Loyal Royal and Liberty Valance are both consistent as well, but they have fared very differently on the draw front with Liberty Valance looking to gun them down from a low draw. Stoic Leader is starting to look well-handicapped, whilst any market move for top-weight Free Tussy after a break would be interesting. Blinkers are tried on Melt, whilst a visor is implemented on Manchestermaverick. Bollywood Style was well-fancied last time out but John Best's filly is ultimately yet to win in nine starts, so whilst Torquemada must be considered despite a wide draw, it is Shaded Edge who just shades the vote.
Free Tussy (ARG) 14-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden and lost place quickly over 2f out, soon in rear, last of 13, 24l behind Salt of The Earth (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, switched right well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 9, 6l behind Ghufa (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol.
Liberty Valance (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, soon lost 2nd, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Guildenstern (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Eagle Nebula 20-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, ridden along 3f out, never in contention, 9th of 11, 8l behind Street Power (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Manchestermaverick (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Prominent, led over 2f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 9l behind Templetuohy Max (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Rio L'Oren (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Led until headed just over 2f out, kept on, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 7l behind Street Power (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Rydal (USA) 10-1 (9-3) In touch, effort and every chance over 1f out, not quicken, stayed on one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Street Power (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Mr Chocolate Drop (IRE) 7-2fav (9-1) Mid-division, ridden along 3f out, never troubled leaders, 7th of 12, 7l behind Alf Tupper (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Loyal Royal (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, pulled hard well in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Ardent Prince (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Shaded Edge 11-2 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 7th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Street Power (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Quality Street 22-1 (8-7) Mid-division, lost place and weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 5l behind Herbert Crescent (9-5) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Bollywood Style 7-2fav (8-8) Pulled hard towards rear, ridden and never dangerous final 2f, 8th of 9, 5l behind Herbert Crescent (9-5) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Torquemada (IRE) 9-2fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader well over 1f out, led entering final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Ardent Prince (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Melt (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression until stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Ardent Prince (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
