held up in 6th place, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened
held up in 7th, headway under pressure to track leading pair 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out
held up in 8th, headway going well enough when not clear run briefly 2f out, stayed on under pressure to take 2nd inside final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
reluctant and reminders soon after start, always behind, ridden 3f out, not run on
tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced in 5th, pushed along over 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong
ridden and headed 4f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off
Irish Ballard will have his supporters but looks a little high in the handicap at the moment so we'll look for an alternative in MEXICAN PETE with Kavaloti also posted up as a threat. The selection, from Alan King's yard, has been far from disgraced this winter running in some top handicap hurdles and continued that form onto the level with a nice effort in a similar race at Wolverhampton last time out. Despite running off top weight his mark looks about right. Irish Ballard capped a decent run of form with victory over distance at Lingfield on his latest attempt beating the picks conqueror in the process. He's up four pounds for that effort which doesn't seem much but it's been a long time since he last carried a rating this high to victory. Kavaloti looks off a really dangerous mark now after some near misses off a slightly higher burden. All of his recent best form has come over course and distance and a repeat will have him close again. Augustus John has some nice form and is also running well enough to challenge but perhaps not enough to beat Mexican Pete.
Mexican Pete 2-1 (10-0) Held up, went 2nd 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden edged left and headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Bold Adventure (9-5) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Kavaloti (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Held up in 3rd, closed up 5f out, chased leaders from 3f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Right Option (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Augustus John (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Held up, headway to chase leader over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Calculating (8-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Little Carmela 5-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 18l behind Remember Ramon (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Eastwell Smiles 33-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden 3f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 14, 11l behind Bell Island (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Cash On (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up, reminders 9f out, ridden halfway, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Bell Island (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Irish Ballad 4-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, led 2f out, edged right and driven out final furlong, won at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar beating Bold Adventure (9-10) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Rose Bien 50-1 (7-9) Always behind, 17th of 18, 35l behind Baddam (9-4) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp 0-95 (2) gf in Jul.
Dream Mountain 20-1 (8-7) In touch until weakened quickly approaching 2f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Shanafarahan (8-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
