keen, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, carried centre and every chance from over 1f out, led final strides
held up in rear, good headway entering final furlong, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on close home
close up, effort and soon every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
taken to post early, keen held up, headway approaching 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on same pace towards finish
held up in touch, ridden 2f out, pressed leaders entering final furlong, not quicken towards finish
keen, held up, improved to 4th 3f out, ridden 2f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, driven and ran on close home, just failed
set steady pace, quickened 2f out, came centre soon after, driven and headed final strides
held up in last place, ridden 2f out, no impression
No fewer than four course and distance winners run in this handicap, and all look capable of repeating such success but for the selection we look to WAR OF THE ROSES, who has a terrific record around Lingfield. The selection picked up nicely last time out to score under a cool ride and post arguably a career-best effort. That was here at Lingfield and the gelding looks capable of repeating that performance. The six-year-old runs from 3lbs higher here today, but that shouldn't hinder progress. Distinctive image was a distance winner last time out at Wolverhampton and looks to be hitting a good vein of form. He will get punished for that win but could be capable of further progress and looks the type who could pick up a decent middle-distance prize on turf. Bassinet is another who won over course and distance last time out but the mare is the type that needs to be held up for a late run so the last race was run to suit her. However, given her poor strike-rate, she is probably not one to be lumping on to follow up. So in what should prove to be a very competitive handicap and with no less than four course and distance winners in contention here we side with War Of The Roses.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) 11th of 14, well behind Yamal (8-11) at Nad Al Sheba 1m hcp 0-105 std in Feb.
Formation (USA) 5-2 (8-9) Held up in touch, under pressure over 3f out, soon beaten, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Kandidate (9-6) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Feb.
Confidentiality (IRE) 9-4fav (9-10) Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 10l behind Teasing (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Beauchamp Viceroy 33-1 (8-10) Led, headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 8th of 20, 12l behind Presvis (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Sept.
War of The Roses (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Patiently ridden mid-division, smooth headway from over 1f out, switched right and quickened to lead well inside final furlong, readily, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Action Impact (8-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Distinctive Image (USA) 9-2 (8-4) Held up, headway on outside 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) pol beating Swiss Act (8-13) by 2l, 7 ran.
Maslak (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged right under pressure, inside final furlong and weakened, 5th of 7, 11l behind Distinctive Image (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Bassinet (USA) 20-1 (9-6) Slowly away, headway from 2f out, strong run to lead post, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating King Supreme (9-3) by a hd, 9 ran.
