held up rear, headway after 5th, ridden to lead 2 out, ridden out
mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened next
in touch, headway 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace last
towards rear, ridden from 5th, stayed on but not trouble leaders
held up and keen in rear, mistake 4th, brief effort 3 out
in touch, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, kept on flat
tracked leaders, weakened 5th
tracked leaders, ridden 4th, led briefly 5th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden and lost place 5th, pulled up before 2 out
led, headed and weakened 5th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and weakened 2 out
mid-division, headed soon after and one pace
always behind
towards rear, steady headway after 5th, staying on when mistake last, chased winner close home
The Hairy Lemon is a confident selection in a race in which he, Sir Night and McQueen make the short list. The Hairy Lemon has evidently had his problems but he put up a decent run at Towcester in a competitive handicap and Alan King has decided to come back quickly in order to make use of a 7lb penalty. The horse does have the tendency to race a little too keenly in the early stages but provided he is kept covered up - today rates as an obvious opportunity to beat the handicapper at his own game. Sir Night has recently had a soft palate operation and this appears to have worked the oracle as far as his racecourse form is concerned. There is a suspicion that he is better on a faster surface so connections will be keen to avoid overnight rain. The drop back to two miles should suit McQueen on pedigree. He has had three recent pipe-openers on the level so should not be too far away today. Haditovski has lost his way badly having traded blows with top quality handicap chasers a couple of seasons ago. Pawn Broker had a touch of class on the flat but is here after two seasons off. Honey's Gift is moderate but can run her usual game race. Fortune Point is exceptionally quirky and is impossible to predict but Lord Lington should be watched in the market if there is overnight rain and trackside money. A fair hurdle for the prize money but we stick with The Hairy Lemon.
Lord Lington (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 9, 37l behind Karathaena (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd.
Haditovski 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders to 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Kid'z'play (11-7) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) sft in Apr, 15 ran.
Just Superb 10-1 (11-12) In touch, lost place approaching 5th, soon behind, 9th of 16, 35l behind Conroy (11-2) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Jan.
Honey's Gift 20-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden 3rd, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 33l behind Un Autre Espere (9-7) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd.
Pawn Broker 11-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistakes 3rd, headway under pressure after 3 out, one pace and no impression when left 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Contraband (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (C) gd in Dec '03.
Sir Night (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, led after last, held on well, won at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf beating Gone Too Far (11-12) by a nk, 10 ran.
Killing Me Softly 12-1 (10-2) In touch, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, well behind Kid'z'play (11-7) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) sft in Apr.
Fortune Point (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) In touch to 6th, soon weakened, 5th of 15, 36l behind Prairie Sun (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs.
McQueen (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, one pace and no impression after next, 4th of 9, 5l behind Mel In Blue (11-4) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Greenawn (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 10, 31l behind Roman Ark (11-3) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) hvy in Dec.
Sharaab (USA) 12-1 (11-3) In touch and keen, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 15l behind Tushna (10-7) at Stratford 2m ldy hcp hdl (F) gd.
Rocket Bleu (FR) 9-2fav (11-4) Mid-division, some headway 5th, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 10th of 13, 24l behind Storm Clear (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gf in Apr.
Birchall (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, slow jump and lost place 4th, rallied after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 16, 14l behind Misbehaviour (10-6) at Warwick 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Mar.
Lerubis (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Started slowly, always in rear, 15th of 21, well behind Serpentine Rock (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
The Hairy Lemon 7-4fav (10-13) Prominent and keen, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear flat, won at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd beating Deo Gratias (10-9) by 7l, 18 ran.
