mid-division, progress over 3f out, chased leader, over 1f out, never able to challenge
always prominent, effort 3f out, soon one pace
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out
settled in mid-division, never on terms
behind, some late headway, never nearer
chased leaders, under pressure over 4f out, soon weakened
led until well over 1f out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, headway 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, weakened over 4f out
held up in mid-division, headway halfway, led over 1f out, ran on well
BALLAGIO shaped like he needed his first run and could find enough improvement to score from Awesome Freddie, although there are several newcomers to note in the betting. Our selection travelled very kindly when making his debut in a soft ground Kempton bumper before getting very tired, in the end finishing behind Awesome Freddie. However with that behind him and better ground to race on this expensive purchase should go very close to landing the spoils. Awesome Freddie merits respect but ultimately disappointed under a penalty last time and will do well to concede weight all-round, with drying ground possibly against him. John Clayton doesn't make much appeal on paper as a relatively cheap horse bred for further, but the record of Rebecca Curtis in these contests means the gelding requires an automatic market check along with Whoops A Daisy for Nicky Henderson. This filly is related to a host of reasonable performers and again the yard have such an enviable record in this type of race that'd it'd be folly to dismiss her. Brooklyn Bay progressed between his first two runs and is capable of better but may find some of the less exposed sorts too strong whilst Smithy The Horse didn't show enough on debut to merit close attention. The market will help to unravel this puzzle but without its help we'll take Ballagio as our selection.
Ballagio (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led over 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 13l behind Mic's Delight (11-2) at Kempton 2m NH flat (5) sft in Feb.
Brooklyn Bay 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, lost place 9f out, ridden and outpaced 4f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not reached winner, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Comeragh King (10-13) at Ayr 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Combat King (IRE) Commander Collins gelding out of Native Gift.
Cottage Retreat (IRE) Snurge gelding out of Coral Cottage.
Douglas 40-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden, lost place over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 37l behind Fridaythorpe (11-0) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
First Lord (FR) 5-2 (12-0) Mid div, mod 9th when mstk 7th, cto 4out till pu next, in a race won by Citizens Arrest (12-0) at Lemonfield 3m ire ptp gs in Mar, 17 ran.
John Clayton (IRE) Winged Love gelding out of Gavin's Dream.
Klampenborg 80-1 (10-9) In rear, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 15, well behind Gus Macrae (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Glacial Harry Sir Harry Lewis gelding out of Glacial Wonder.
Smithy The Horse (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 5f out, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 15l behind Rupert Lamb (10-9) at Catterick 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
William Percival (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Soy Alegre.
Windy Arbour 25-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, effort on inside when not clear run over 3f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 18l behind Raya Star (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Floating Cloud Overbury mare out of Squirrellsdaughter.
Gallimaufry Sir Harry Lewis filly out of Hinemoa.
Whoops A Daisy Definite Article filly out of Bayariyka.
Awesome Freddie 15-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 2f, 6th of 13, 11l behind Mic's Delight (11-2) at Kempton 2m NH flat (5) sft in Feb.
Ruling Party 5-1 (11-4) Held up, chased leaders over 5f out, weakened 4f out, 7th of 12, 28l behind Ohio Gold (10-8) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
