tracked winner, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
steadied start, held up in rear, headway on outside 2f out, ridden, one pace approaching final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, not troubled leaders
keen, close up, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
made all, 3 lengths clear over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, pressed on both sides inside final furlong, held on gamely, all out
mid-division, ridden, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance well inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, headway under strong pressure approaching final furlong, driven, ran on close home
steadied start, held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, effort entering final furlong, no extra near finish
The drop back to this trip and return to this track makes Joy And Pain the one for us ahead of Zazous, Quantum Leap and Double Valentine. Joy And Pain has landed four of his last seven starts, and all those successes have come over course and distance. A 14lb rise during that time looks fair enough, as he has definitely improved, and the track and trip looks far more likely to be the cause of his defeat last time as opposed to 3lb extra, so we will forgive him that and back him here. Zazous comes from the in-form John Bridger yard and although he has won over this trip, he is definitely better over shorter, and he might just find one or two outstaying him. Double Valentine is 4lb higher than when scoring over c&d last month and was not beaten far last time, so she is respected. Quantum Leap has 5 c&d wins to his name and the old boy thrives here. Disappointing last time out, he has had three months off to freshen him up, though at this age he may now just need this, and Joy And Pain is the one for us.
Corlough Mountain 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 5l behind Count Ceprano (8-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Fine Ruler (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Held up, took keen hold, shaken up over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Kelamon (9-0) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Trivia (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Started very slowly, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 8th of 14, 4l behind Miss Mujanna (9-0) at Kempton 7f fll hcp (5) pol.
Emma Jean Lad (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Behind, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, effort over 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 3l behind King's Ransom (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Ever Cheerful 11-2 (9-0) Led after 1f out, headed over 1f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 9l behind Chief Exec (9-0) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Quantum Leap 8-1 (8-4) Held up, towards rear, staying on when not clear run well inside final furlong, 10th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Corlough Mountain (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) pol in Dec.
Joy And Pain 10-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, weakened 2 out, 10th of 13, 9l behind Dinner Date (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Zazous 10-1 (9-0) Raced wide, mid-division, pushed along and headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Napoletano (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol.
Double Valentine 4-1fav (8-11) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, kept on, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 2l behind Napoletano (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol.