raced centre, mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, soon chased leader, no extra inside final furlong
raced centre, slowly into stride, led after 1f, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, soon weakened
raced centre, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced centre, in touch, chased leader halfway, led over 1f out, ridden and hung right, headed just inside final furlong, soon weakened
slowly into stride, raced centre, in rear, hung right to stand side over 3f out, never near leaders
led stand side group, ridden and overall leader approaching 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
raced centre, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
raced centre, held up, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
raced stand side, close up, ridden 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead close home
raced centre, in touch, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, caught close home
raced centre mid-division, headway when not clear run over 1f out, one pace final furlong
raced stand side, chased leader 4f
raced centre, led 1f, remained prominent, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
raced centre, slowly into stride, in rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous
A pitifully ordinary handicap and we reluctantly offer Balerno up as a selection with Welcome Releaf, Bahamian Bay and Imperial Sword all holding some sort of a chance. Although better known as a campaigner on artifical surfaces these days, Balerno has shown some aptitude for the turf in the dim and distant past under similar conditions. Granted, he has regressed since then but he put up a fair run at Kempton in a similarly moderate event and he could be worth a chance here. Welcome Releaf picked up a poor race at Southwell and the five-year-old has dropped considerably in the weights since his time with Lucinda Featherstone. Bahamian Bay is exposed as moderate but is in good heart. Imperial Sword was racing off marks in the mid-80's two seasons ago and is one to note in the event of market support. Gone N' Dunnett pops up in races of this nature from time to time. Limonia steps back up in trip. Julie Camacho has a recent winner in similar grade so Falmassim, with Seb Sanders aboard, is likely to have his followers. Charming Ballet has posted three shockers in as many races and is one to have reservations about. A race that won't attract too many column inches and Balerno is best placed to pick it up.
Welcome Releaf 9-2 (8-10) Held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left under pressure, soon clear, readily, won at Southwell 6f mdn aut stk (5) fbs beating Walragnek (9-3) by 2l, 8 ran.
Oh Gracious Me (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, edged left and bumped 1f out and faded, 6th of 13, 3l behind Avoca Dancer (8-10) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Mar.
Gone'n'dunnett (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Tracked leader on inner, ridden and every chance over 1f out, not quicken, one pace final furlong, 5th of 7, 5l behind Wiltshire (8-9) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Falmassim 14-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 6l behind Spinning (9-1) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Oct.
Green Pirate 3-1fav (9-2) Prominent, chased winner over 4f out until 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 12l behind Music Box Express (8-7) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Limonia (GER) 12-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, headway approaching final furlong, ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 4l behind Jilly Why (8-12) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Balerno 8-1 (8-5) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on strongly towards finish, 2nd of 8, shd behind Straight Face (8-12) at Kempton 7f app hcp (6) pol.
Charming Ballet (IRE) 3-1fav (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Wibbadune (8-10) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Mar.
Bahamian Bay 5-1 (9-3) Towards rear, effort 3f out, plugged on, 7th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Fun In The Sun (9-0) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Mar.
Polar Force 33-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 13, 7l behind Jilly Why (8-12) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Imperial Sword 12-1 (8-6) Soon pushed along in rear, driven and some headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 6th of 11, 8l behind Elusive Warrior (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.
Cool Sands (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) Steadied start, held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Diriculous (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Orchestration (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden when not clear run, switched right approaching final furlong, soon one pace, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Rambling Socks (9-4) at W'hampton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Mar.
Ducal Regancy Red 33-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Jilly Why (8-12) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Sceilin (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Held up, kept on one pace straight, 11th of 21, 12l behind Luzdeluna (9-6) at Leopardstown 1m 1f hcp 0-70 gf in Nov.
