dwelt and awkward leaving stalls, rear and well of the pace, some late headway but never in race
held up in rear and well off the pace, no chance final 3f
held up in 5th and well off the pace, ridden and no response over 2f out, never in race
held up in 4th and well off the pace, pushed along over 3f out, driven and went second over 1f out, never near unchallenged winner
made virtually all and soon clear, pushed along final 2f, kept on strongly, unchallenged
chased clear winner, no chance when lost poor second over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
soon well behind, lost touch final 3f, tailed off
raced in third but off the pace, pushed along over 2f out, plugged on but no chance with unchallenged winner
always in rear
We're going to take a chance in this ultra competitive handicap and try to get some value by opting for SOTIK STAR but only just ahead of Maybe I Will and Magic Rush. There could be a double figure price available for the pick to win this but the gelding is racing here off a mark a full 10lbs below his last winning rating. There is obviously a reason for his tumbling mark but that last success came on his only course and distance appearance and he does like this ground. Maybe I Will is a bit of a course specialist having won twice in three starts here. The last of those was over distance in an almost identical contest and he is weighted to go well. There's been hints that Magic Rush is returning to form and on the pick of his very best runs he should mount a strong challenge. Sarah Park looks a little high in the handicap at the moment and April Fool is yet to convince at this track. This is really tight and we'll take a big chance with Sotik Star.
Magic Rush 11-2 (9-4) Held up, rapid headway to lead over 4f out, strongly pressed from 2f out, pressed on well until headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Rapid City (9-4) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Wing Play (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Reared start, keen, weakened 2f out, 7th of 11, 6l behind Shaded Edge (10-0) at Lingfield 7f (5) gf.
Maybe I Will (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, still plenty to do 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Leocorno (8-12) at Sandown 1m 1f flls hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Magroom 20-1 (9-0) Towards rear, driven over 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 15, 4l behind Prince Rossi (8-6) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
April Fool 8-1 (9-3) Led to over 2f out, keeping on when bumped over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Full Victory (8-13) at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Master Mahogany 15-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, close up 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 12l behind Inside Story (9-2) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Kickahead (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Behind, headway from 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 6l behind Landucci (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
Never Sold Out (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 15, 29l behind Annes Rocket (8-2) at Warwick 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Flamestone 11-2 (8-2) Chased leaders, effort and ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Sherjawy (8-8) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Mar.
Sarah Park (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden and lost place over 3f out, effort and some headway again over 1f out, 7th of 10, 5l behind I Confess (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Sotik Star (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Dwelt, soon in touch and wide, ridden and edged left 2f out, weakened 1f out, 10th of 12, 11l behind Bee Stinger (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
