led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
behind, switched right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
mid-division on inside, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong until well inside final furlong
behind, hung right over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
always towards rear
raced wide in mid-division, came wide straight, soon ridden and struggling
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced inside final 2f, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd well inside final furlong, finished well
always towards rear
took keen hold in touch, keeping on one pace when not much room and switched left inside final furlong
chased leader, led inside final 2f, soon driven, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, held up well in rear, never a factor
held up in rear, good headway on inside 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened inside final 2f, eased when no chance final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
Rod Millman has started the season well and his BRASSINI is narrowly preferred here to Thebes, Al Muheer and Flowing Cape. The widest draw of all will make life tough for the selection but this may not be a bad thing as he appears to have been too keen on the majority of his runs last season. If he is dropped in and given a bit of cover then he should run a big race now back up to seven furlongs. Benandonner was nibbled at for the Lincoln but didn't run much of a race; he is rated better than that and along with Great Charm deserves a mention. Dandy Nicholls has three in the race and the betting will help illuminate which is perhaps most fancied, although from a form point of view the feeling is that Fathsta ran a good race last time over too short a trip and the return to seven furlongs on the all-weather is ideal. Flowing Cape has looked very progressive this winter and was not disgraced last time out in a decent Wolverhampton handicap, Al Muheer is consistent and very well-drawn for his aggressive type of racing, whilst Spitfire represents a trainer in good form and is not to be overlooked. Thebes has a decent race in him this season and should not be far away, but he will find easier races to dominate from the front than this one. Pravda Street and Esteem Machine with Ryan Moore booked are others to consider in another competitive handicap but for the winner we will return to Brassini.
Al Muheer (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Close up, challenged winner approaching final furlong, driven and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Abbondanza (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Red Somerset (USA) 15-8 (8-12) Led early, led again over 2f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Elna Bright (9-3) at Bath 1m stks (3) gf.
Flowing Cape (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) In touch on outside, ridden to challenge and every chance over 1f out, no extra, one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Flipando (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Spitfire 11-4fav (8-7) Held up in rear, headway when carried head high over 1f out, ridden and soon beaten, 6th of 7, 8l behind Speedy Dollar (8-7) at Yarmouth 6f 3yo stk (3) gd in Sep.
Esteem Machine (USA) 9-1 (9-7) In touch, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 27l behind Phantom Whisper (9-6) at Chepstow 6f hcap (2) sft in Jul.
Brassini 10-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, weakened final furlong, 17th of 19, 12l behind Skhilling Spirit (8-7) at Doncaster 6f hcap (2) gd in Oct.
Benandonner (USA) 9-1 (8-9) In touch far side, driven and one pace final 2f, 11th of 20, 12l behind Expresso Star (8-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
Bomber Command (USA) 7-1 (9-2) Held up, headway into 3rd and effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 5, 4 1/2l behind Saltagioo (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) std in Mar.
Fathsta (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Held up stands side group, headway well over 1f out, kept on, 6th of 20, 8l behind Palace Moon (8-8) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Mar.
Thebes 7-1 (8-11) Led stands side group, ridden and headed over 2f out by stands side group, soon weakened, 18th of 20, 17l behind Palace Moon (8-8) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Mar.
Joseph Henry 20-1 (8-9) Chased leaders stands side group, weakened final furlong, 9th of 20, 12l behind Palace Moon (8-8) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Mar.
Something (IRE) 3-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Bond City (8-13) at Haydock 6f stks 0-90 (3) hvy in Sep.
Great Charm (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, one pace from over 1f out, 9th of 19, 7l behind Skhilling Spirit (8-7) at Doncaster 6f hcap (2) gd in Oct.
Pravda Street 2-1fav (9-4) In touch, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 9, 2l behind Orpen Wide (8-13) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
