disputed 2nd place until 3f out, driven and weakened over 2f out
mostly 2nd until over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon lost place
mid-division, headway on wide outside over 3f out, chased leading pair 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, no headway final 2f
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, rallied under pressure to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
took keen hold, headway 3f out, ridden and no impression inside final 2f
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division on outside 6f out, driven along over 2f out, soon weakened
soon led, hard ridden from 2f out, kept on until headed 1f out, well held when lost 2nd near finish
held up in rear, struggling final 3f
always rear division
held up towards rear, switched to outside 3f out, headway over 2f out, sustained run on outer to lead 2f out, driven clear
mid-division, losing place when not much room and hampered 3f out
A few in with claims but Foreign King won a weak race at Brighton well enough to receive the nomination. A change of tactics reaped dividends for the Kingmambo gelding as he never looked like being headed once he was allowed to bowl along in front. It wasn't a great race and he may face some competition for the lead from the likes of Sand Repeal and Icannshift but it may pay to give him the chance to follow up. Songmaster is gradually getting his game together and wouldn't need to find too much improvement to play a leading role whilst Mid Valley and course specialist Icannshift boast fairly solid credentials. Astrolibra is a couple of pounds well in today and may well see out this longer trip with more purpose this term. Prime Contender has his first run since leaving Gary Moore and market support for this formerly useful handicapper would be well worth noting but we're going to side with Foreign King at this stage.
Foreign King (USA) 7-2 (9-4) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, driven out, unchallenged, won at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Hester Brook (8-6) by 4l, 8 ran.
Songmaster (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway over 5f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, stayed on, never nearer, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Kokkokila (11-6) at Warwick 1m 5f amt hcp (6) gf.
Sweet Request 25-1 (8-5) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 9, 14l behind Silver Blue (8-4) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Sand Repeal (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) In touch, led after 1f, headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Hits Only Vic (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 7f app hcp (5) gf.
Prime Contender 7-4fav (9-3) Tracked leader to 5f out, stayed prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon in rear, last of 6, 11l behind Altos Reales (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Astrolibra 3-1fav (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Wee Charlie Castle (8-8) at Yarmouth 1m 2f app hcp (6) gf.
Mid Valley 5-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Wizard Looking (8-12) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Capistrano 20-1 (9-7) Held up last, not clear run over 2f out, switched right to inside over 1f out, chased leaders briefly, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 10, 3l behind Shenandoah Girl (9-7) at Folkestone 1m 4f stk 0-55 (6) gs.
Icannshift (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 4l behind Wizard Looking (8-12) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Black Cloud 100-1 (9-6) Dwelt, settled in rear, ridden and outpaced well over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 24l behind Bell Island (9-13) at Brighton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf.
Ruling Reef 6-1 (8-5) In touch until weakened 2f out, 9th of 13, 12l behind Sir Duke (9-2) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
Granary Girl 10-1 (8-4) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 10l behind Wee Charlie Castle (8-8) at Yarmouth 1m 2f app hcp (6) gf.
Mighty Kitchener (USA) 16-1 (9-4) Prominent, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 19l behind Winter Cruise (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
