pulled hard, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 1f out, edged out and weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not quite pace to troubled front pair
raced freely, led, strongly pressed from 2f out, driven and kept on well until headed final 100 yards, soon well held
chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders over 3f, weakened rapidly, tailed off
in touch, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, still plenty to do 2f out, weaved through over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong and finished well
held up in rear, some headway over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten
plunged start, soon with leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
The Hannon Hughes combo have been knocking out the winners in this sort of contest and can land this with ORANGE PIP, although Onceuponatime and The Tatling are likely to have their supporters. Orange Pip has to defy top weight status, and has been a little inconsistent, with just one win to her name. She's ten pounds higher now than when winning on handicap debut at Windsor last summer, but ran a good race at Kempton last time out, and a repeat may be good enough here. The Tatling, the other joint top weight, has been back on turf recently after several months on the all-weather with some success; all bar two of his dozen career wins though have come at the minimum trip. Expect him to be at the vanguard early on too, and the low draw will assist. Onceuponatime won twice about this time last year, and has been regularly placed since, running off a much lower mark these days. It's competitive looking, with our preference being for Orange Pip.
Orange Pip 7-2 (9-0) Led, ridden, pressed over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Pretty Bonnie (9-0) at Kempton 6f (4) pol.
The Tatling (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up, effort 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 3l behind Earlsmedic (9-4) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Mymumsaysimthebest 33-1 (9-10) In touch and keen, driven over 2f out, soon lost place, 8th of 10, 9l behind Tryst (9-10) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
Blue Jack 20-1 (7-8) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 15th of 17, 17l behind Evens And Odds (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
Count Ceprano (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Always in rear, 13th of 16, 9l behind Oceana Blue (8-12) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Willridge 25-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened, 12th of 13, 45l behind Moves Goodenough (9-2) at Bath 1m app hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Alfresco 11-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, took keen hold and soon in mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Forgotten Voice (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Golden Dixie (USA) 9-2 (8-5) Prominent, ridden 2f out, every chance 1f out, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Vhujon (9-1) at Salisbury 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Sam's Cross (IRE) 15-2 (9-10) Raced keenly, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 7l behind Ravi River (9-12) at Kempton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Feb.
Fantasy Believer 8-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 7l behind Dancing Maite (9-1) at Newmarket 6f app hcp (5) gf.
C'Mon You Irons (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Broke well, raced keenly tracking leader, lost place over 2f out, 4th of 5, 7l behind Desert Dreamer (10-0) at Lingfield 7f sell stks (6) pol in Mar.
Onceaponatime (IRE) 17-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and hung left from 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Dancing Maite (9-1) at Newmarket 6f app hcp (5) gf.
