raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, switched right entering final 2f, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
made all, soon clear, ridden over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, unchallenged
in rear, never near leaders
chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on never dangerous
chased winner until 2f out, soon weakened
in rear, never near leaders
A tough handicap to call and not one to wade in on too heavily, but we will suggest PAPAGENO to score, while Ballyvonane and Tulip Explosion should not be far away. The latter pair raced against each other over course and distance last time, with Luke Dace's gelding getting the better of Tulip Explosion to the tune of three-parts-of-a-length off level weights. They reoppose with the latter now 3lbs better off and a literal interpretation of that leaves them with virtually nothing to choose between them. Silver Linnet was out of sorts for some time until showing signs of a return to form at Southwell last week. She has experience around here and appeared to act on the surface well enough, so from this mark she could get involved when it matters. Anna Galeria is 5lbs better off with Ballyvonane for two-and-a-half lengths here last time and can close some of the gap, but may still come up short. The one we like is Papageno. John Jenkins has his string in good shape, which is a fillip for backers of this Piccolo colt, who has run well despite making the frame only once in 10 outings. However, he has now dropped back to the mark of his best handicapping effort so far, and we hope that, with trip and track in his favour, his yard's good form can help carry him home in front.
Papageno 10-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, keen hold, effort over 1f out, soon one pace, last of 4, 2 1/4l behind Texas Queen (8-13) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Seek The Cash (USA) 13-2 (8-11) Keen, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 5l behind Candyfloss Girl (9-2) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Pherousa 66-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, hampered over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 10l behind Chips O'toole (9-6) at Goodwood 6f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Oct.
Silver Linnet (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Led, strong pace, wandered under pressure from just over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Liberty Lady (9-6) at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Annia Galeria (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened and lost 2 places final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Ballyvonane (8-8) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Ballyvonane (USA) 7-1 (8-8) Soon chased leaders on outside, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Tulip Explosion (8-8) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Tulip Explosion 5-1 (8-8) Prominent, ridden 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd final 100 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Ballyvonane (8-8) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Miss Polly Plum 8-1 (8-3) Tracked leader until over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 16l behind Sweet Mirasol (8-8) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Greenore Gordon 33-1 (8-9) Held up, pulled hard, not clear run well over 1f out, always in rear, 10th of 11, 13l behind Sir Frank Wappat (8-9) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol.
