Verdict

BABY SHAM was only beaten half-a-length by the hat-trick seeking Ladywood at Wolverhampton two runs ago and is a pound better off. He improved to score over a mile here next time and might turn the tables today. The Bay Warrior wasn’t far behind at Wolverhampton and has since finished second over further at that track when Infinite Beauty, who started favourite, was only fourth. Sergeant Major didn’t get much of a run on his handicap debut at Lingfield and should be capable of better.

Formwatch

Ladywood (IRE) 6-5fav (9-9) Held up in touch in mid-division, headway 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, stayed on, led towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Classy Dame (9-6) by nk, 12 ran.

Baby Sham 2-1fav (9-9) Close up, headway to lead over 1f out, ridden out, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Beija Flor (9-2) by 1l, 11 ran.

Blue Beret 80-1 (8-11) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, never a factor, 8th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Red Evelyn (8-11) at Lingfield 1m stks (5) pol in Jan.

Infinite Beauty (IRE) 10-3fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ridden and plugged on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Diamond And Gold (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.

Maxine (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Raced keenly, led 2f, soon steadied into mid-division, lost place halfway, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on into 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Coupe De Champagne (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Jan.

Sergeant Major 10-3jfav (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 4th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Vina Bay (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.

The Bay Warrior (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Chased leaders on inside, switched right off rail inside final 3f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd final 110 yards, never going pace to challenge, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Diamond And Gold (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.