in rear, outpaced from halfway
in rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway approaching 2f out, switched left and ridden well over 1f out, kept on under pressure
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
chased leader, led well over 1f out, soon clear, ridden and headed towards finish
soon led from wide draw, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader on inner, ridden and outpaced halfway, switched right over 2f out, soon hung right, kept on from over 1f out
held up, headway on outer halfway, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened
slowly into stride, always in rear
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3f out
taken to post early, chased leaders, ridden halfway, headway to chase leader inside final furlong, stayed on to lead near finish
never better than mid-division
Mr Chocolate Drop gets the vote to complete the hat-trick over the likes of Lucius Verrus and Union Jack Jackson. The selection dead-heated with Fun In The Sun at Kempton last time but he was flying at the finish and there may be more in the tank. He does have more on his plate this afternoon but he nonetheless stands out here as the most likely winner. Lucius Verrus is a model of consistency and he arrives here in good heart, but the grim relaity is that he doesn't wwin very often and he may have to settle for a place at best. Union Jack Jackson is better than he has been showing of late, but he is hard to recommend on his current form and he may need some respite from the handicapper before he is able to get competitive. Government won this race last year but he ran too badly to be true last time. All of which returns us to Mr Chocolate Drop.
Union Jack Jackson (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Behind, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 22l behind Garlogs (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb.
Mr Chocolate Drop (IRE) 3-1fav (9-6) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb beating Fun In The Sun (9-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Karma Llama (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Mid-division, driven and outpaced after 2f, stayed on under pressure final 2f, no impression, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind King's Bastion (9-4) at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Attacca 12-1 (8-9) Led 1f, tracked leader after effort 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 10th of 11, 5l behind Encores (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Only A Grand 8-1 (8-13) Prominent, headway over 2f out, effort when not much room approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Blue Empire (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Feb.
Oh Gracious Me (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 10, 14l behind Zaahid (9-3) at Newbury 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs in May.
Totally Free 33-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 13l behind Guadaloup (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Lucius Verrus (USA) 13-2 (7-11) Close up, ridden over 3f out, chased winner briefly over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Soba Jones (8-5) at Southwell 6f Clm Stakes (6) fbs in Feb.
Government (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) Held up, effort over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 9, 40l behind Sparky Vixen (8-1) at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Pawn In Life (IRE) 22-1 (8-5) Held up mid-division, pushed along halfway, never troubled leaders, 8th of 9, 27l behind Sparky Vixen (8-1) at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Shadow Jumper (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, driven halfway, bumped over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 7l behind Hi Spec (9-0) at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb.
Ugenius 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leader to over 3f out, stayed in touch until weakened from 2f out, 12th of 13, 12l behind Ai Hawa (8-12) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Dec.
Preskani 12-1 (8-4) Outpaced after 2f, last of 9, 15l behind Tenancy (8-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Jan.