held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression
held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, finished strongly, went 2nd close home
slowly into stride, headway on outside over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd over 7f out, challenged 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, took keen hold, steadied 7f out, ridden on outside over 2f out, soon beaten
prominent, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, lost 2nd close home
Dellaguista bids for a four-timer but has been raised a further 6lb and both Corked and Chestnut Fire re-oppose on more favourable terms. Fire Diamond and Ebbisham are closely matched having filled the places over 7f here last time while Favourite Royal, Lagenda and Toga Tiger are all reasonably treated in a tight handicap. That being the case, KELLY’S DINO gets the nod as he’s the least exposed having won at Southwell recently on his first start since 2015 and has plenty of scope for further improvement.
Chestnut Fire 10-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden and one pace inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Dellaguista (9-0) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Favourite Royal (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, never nearer, 5th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Domitilla (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp fll (3) pol in Dec.
Dellaguista (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on to lead post, won at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Waarif (9-3) by ns, 10 ran.
Toga Tiger (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) In rear, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Maratha (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Kelly's Dino (FR) 8-1 (9-5) In touch, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, hard ridden, stayed on strongly, won at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Majestic Moon (9-7) by nk, 8 ran.
Lagenda 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Able Jack (9-2) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Corked (IRE) 13-8fav (9-8) Led, ridden final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Dellaguista (9-3) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp fll (5) pol in Dec.
Fire Diamond 13-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, switched right and effort entering last, kept on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind King of Nepal (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Ebbisham (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, every chance inside final furlong, one paced under pressure, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind King of Nepal (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.