held up in mid-division, took keen hold, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on well
tracked leaders, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
in touch, driven over 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, never able to challenge
chased leaders, outpaced halfway, rallied over 2f out, never on terms
dwelt, behind, headway on wide outside halfway, chased leaders over 4f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra closing stages
outpaced in rear, never a factor
pulled hard in rear, weakened over 4f out
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on same pace
soon led, headed over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
slowly into stride, always behind, weakened over 5f out
prominent, outpaced over 5f out, rallied 2f out, soon no impression
STAR ASCENDING carries 6lb extra attempting to land a hat-trick of course wins. But he needed only to be pushed out to score over track and trip a week ago and can confirm running with Monzino. He’d earlier beaten Ingleby Spring here and the latter has subsequently finished behind runner-up Akkadian Empire. But Richard Fahey’s charge disappointed in a claimer over course and distance last time and Leonard Thomas is preferred on his earlier narrow-margin defeat at the hands of the selection.
Star Ascending (IRE) 4-6fav (9-9) In touch, chased leaders halfway, led over 1f out, easily, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb beating Clayton Hall (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Akkadian Empire 7-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace approaching final furlong, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Dream Magic (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Feb.
French Mix (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, driven 3f out, gradually weakened, 4th of 6, 10 1/2l behind Miss Minuty (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp fll (5) pol in Feb.
Oceanus (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Led, headed over 1f out, soon not much room, 3rd and one pace final furlong, last of 3, 4l behind Dragon Mall (9-9) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f stks (5) pol in Feb.
Ingleby Spring (IRE) 3-1 (8-13) Keen, close up, pushed along and lost place 3f out, ridden and rallied inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Brotherly Company (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Di's Gift 28-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 12, 10l behind Great Return (9-7) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
American Craftsman (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Led until 5th, under pressure before 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 6, 33l behind Albert's Back (11-6) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Velvet Voice 25-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, took keen hold, effort on outside over 2f out, no impression, well beaten over 1f out, 5th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Airway (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f mdn stks (4) pol in Sep.
Picture Painter (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, took keen hold, headway over 3f out, edged left over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 13, 8 1/4l behind Indian Red (9-2) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Benissimo (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind Comber Mill (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Monzino (USA) 40-1 (8-9) Dwelt, towards rear, headway on outside over 5f out, chased leaders over 3f out, kept on well, never able to challenge, 3rd of 7, 7 1/2l behind Star Ascending (9-9) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Tilly Devine 8-1 (9-8) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 10 1/2l behind Sooqaan (10-0) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Leonard Thomas 9-2 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up last and well off the pace, headway over 1f out, went 5th inside final furlong, never near winner, 5th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Outlaw Torn (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
