slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on but not pace to challenge
keen, tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, idled in front
slowly intro stride, always in rear
led, ridden 3 lengths clear well over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, short lived effort over 1f out
Atlantic Story has a had a fine winter but Mick Easterby's gelding may struggle to follow up his recent course and distance success having been raised 5lb for that success and preference is for Ceremonial Jade, with Monkey Glas rated the pick of the remainder. The selection showed a consistent level of form last term and made a highly satisfactory reappearance when chasing home Excusez Moi in a Listed race here over six furlongs last month. The return to seven furlongs should not inconvenience Ceremonial Jade, who gets the vote. Gay Kelleway's Vortex is capable but has not been at his best of late, while Gallantry may now be a shade high in the weights. Purus will need to absolutely spot on for his reappearance to win off his current mark and of more interest may be Monkey Glas, who lost no caste in defeat behind Jack Sullivan here last time and he has to be respected. Preference though is for Ceremonial Jade, who is taken to resume winning ways.
Vortex 8-1 (9-0) Held up, in rear, ridden and kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Jack Sullivan (9-6) at Lingfield 1m stk (3) pol in Feb.
Ceremonial Jade (UAE) 6-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden, headway and hung left from over 1f out, soon every chance, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Excusez Moi (9-0) at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Feb.
Atlantic Story (USA) 7-2fav (8-12) Led 1f, remained prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb beating Mr Lambros (8-8) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Bazroy (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not reach leader, 6th of 10, 3l behind Orpsie Boy (8-13) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Monkey Glas (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Jack Sullivan (9-6) at Lingfield 1m stk (3) pol in Feb.
Gallantry 16-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Alfresco (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb.
Purus (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Nov beating Bahiano (9-1) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Qadar (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no quicken over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 10, 5l behind Orpsie Boy (8-13) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
