mid-division, ridden 3f out, never on terms
held up in mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, no extra final furlong
led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden and headway 3f out, switched left over 1f out, driven and stayed on to lead post
raced in last place, good headway on outside 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, no extra final furlong
always in rear
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed approaching 1f out, rallied to have every chance inside final furlong, stayed on
raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, led approaching 1f out, headed post
always in rear
mid-division, lost place over 6f out, kept on from over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Plenty in this big field handicap have realistic chances but off a good mark on his return to the turf and on a hat-trick we side with WICKED DAZE at the expense of Prince Picasso and Gordonsville. Granted the pick's last two wins have come in claimers but he returns to the handicap ranks off a mark four pounds lighter than when a short-head second at Wolverhampton in November. He won't want the ground any softer but on this form he might be dangerous to ignore. Prince Picasso will be another chance for the in-form pair of Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan to get a winner and having romped home when trying this trip for the first time on his last run he has strong claims off this revised mark. Gordonsville makes his seasonal bow but will be fit from a successful jumps campaign. He handles these conditions well and seems to like this venue. Veloso has won both starts since returning from over a year out but having only just got home last time we're not sure he can win off his revised burden on his flat turf debut. Gargano and Kingsdale Orion are just two more of many who will have decent place claims at their current weights but Wicked Daze looks value at the forecast odds off a light looking mark.
Gordonsville 11-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, held on well, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct beating Dayia (9-9) by 1l, 8 ran.
Highland Legacy 16-1 (8-0) Always behind, 8th of 23, 12l behind Charm School (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Wicked Daze (IRE) 1-4fav (9-12) Prominent, led after 5f, pushed clear entering final furlong, comfortably, won at Lingfield 2m clm stks (6) pol in Jan beating Alrafid (9-2) by 4l, 6 ran.
My Arch 50-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 9th of 18, 9l behind Trip The Light (9-5) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Dazzling Light (UAE) 16-1 (8-10) Held up and keen, switched left over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, 5th of 8, 4l behind Gordonsville (9-6) at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Kingsdale Orion (IRE) 9-4fav (9-1) Led after 1f, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Full Speed (9-6) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Bogside Theatre (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, pushed along 7f out, struggling final 4f, tailed off, 4th of 6, 42l behind Lucky Punt (8-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Oct.
Prince Picasso 8-1 (9-8) Led after 2f, steadied pace over 5f out, ridden and quickened over 3f out, driven clear final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar beating Houston Dynimo (9-9) by 5l, 7 ran.
Outrageous Request 11-4 (8-11) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, every chance well over 1f out, edged right entering final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Clear Reef (10-0) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Veloso (FR) 5-4fav (9-9) Made all, strongly challenged from over 2f out, kept on gamely under pressure, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar beating Heathyards Junior (8-10) by shd, 7 ran.
Planetarium 18-1 (8-12) In touch until ridden and weakened over 3f out, 9th of 10, 37l behind Inventor (8-10) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Jul '08.
Sphinx (FR) 9-1 (9-6) Held up, headway on bit over 1f out, soon led, ran on well, won at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct beating Bollin Judith (9-1) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Gargano (IRE) 7-4fav (8-12) Chased leader, until weakened 2f out, last of 7, 17l behind Bavarica (8-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 6-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Sphinx (9-6) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
