always in rear
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 4f out, ridden well over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up, steady headway 8f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out until just inside final furlong, no extra
held up, headway final furlong, never nearer
held up, headway going well over 4f out, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, pushed out
held up, some headway on outside well over 2f out, came wide straight, soon weakened
led early, chased leader until over 5f out, not clear run on inside 2f out, one pace
held up, some headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway well over 1f out, chased winner just inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd final strides, no chance with winner
soon led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no real headway final furlong
A handful of these can be given chances, but Annus Iucundus is open to far more improvement than the likes of Sungio and Stravmour and gets the vote in a wide open handicap. Another to have a look at is Saintly Thoughts, who won in good style nine days ago, when he out battled Sungio at Lingfield. However, his penalty makes this harder for him and, as neither are noted a the best of battlers, others make more appeal. Stravmour can be hard to predict but does stay two miles as well as many of the rest. Even so, he has struggled when tried outside of Banded Stakes and has little to prove. Therefore, the vote goes to Annus Iucundus, who has steadily improved as he has been upped in trip. As the son of Desert King is due to go up 5lb from tomorrow, he looks well treated in the context of this race and, with his yard in fine form at present, he looks to have been found a good opportunity to extend the run.
Sungio 11-2 Help up in rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Garnett at Lingfield 2m app hcp (E3) std.
Countback (FR) 66-1 Dwelt, always in rear, struggling from over 4f out, 7th of 9, 23l behind Kylkenny at Southwell 1m 4f clm (F4) fbs in Feb.
McCracken (IRE) 20-1 Held up, headway over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 36l behind Great As Gold at Pontefract 2m 6f hcp 0-70 (E) sft in Apr.
Stravmour 10-1 Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead entering final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 6f stk (H5) fbs in Feb beating Lampos by 2l, 14 ran.
Saintly Thoughts (USA) 15-2 Held up in rear, headway to chase leading pair 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (F4) pol in Feb beating Sungio by 1l, 13 ran.
Annus Iucundus (IRE) 9-2 Held up, headway and not much room on inside 2f out, strong run approaching final furlong, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 5f stk (H5) pol in Feb beating Tropical Son by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sweetwater (GER) 9-2 Held up, headway over 4f out, led on bit inside final furlong, soon ridden ran on, won at W'hampton 2m 1f stk (H5) pol in Feb beating Narciso by 3l, 13 ran.
Le Soleil (GER) 25-1 Keen, held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 8, 5l behind Newtonian at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stk (D3) fbs in Feb.
Reflex Blue 16-1 Held up in touch, headway over 8f out, ridden 4f out, weakened final 3f, 8th of 13, 15l behind Cambo at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp (F4) pol in Feb.
Larad (IRE) 4-1jt-fav Mid-division, headway 3f out, not clear run from over 1f out, ridden and ran on close home, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Zaffeu at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (F4) pol in Feb.
Airgusta (IRE) 7-1 Held up, edged left after 2f, ridden and headway 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 25l behind dhtrs True To Yourself & All Bleevable at Southwell 1m 6f stk (H5) fbs in Feb.
Caliban (IRE) 14-1 Mid-division, ridden and lost place over 6f out, no danger after, 8th of 13, 18l behind Lazzaz at Warwick 1m 5f stk (G4) gd in Sept.
Dances With Angels (IRE) 7-2 Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 5l behind Debbie at W'hampton 1m 4f stk (H5) pol in Feb.
