chased winner, ridden 2f out, pressed winner and every chance 1f out, not quicken
mid-division, wide into straight 3f out, soon weakend
held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, no impression over 2f out
steadied start, raced in last place, kept on final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace
close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
in touch, switched left over 2f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong
keen, held up, ridden 3f out, not trouble leaders
took keen hold, made all, ridden and pressed 1f out, ran on gamely
tracked leaders, ridden and wekened over 2f out
CARLTON SCROOP has been on fine form and we think won well enough last time to overcome a three pound mark rise and follow up ahead of near miss merchant Colonel Sherman while Dancing Sword looks interesting after his first run back on the level following a lengthy absence. Trainer Jonathan Jay had plenty of success over the winter including with the pick who has been holding his form well of that. He has a good strike rate at this venue and still had enough left last time to suggest a three pound rise in the handicap might not stop him . Colonel Sherman was well backed to get just his second career strike last time but ultimately found the one too good. Racing off the same mark again he has a chance but he is beginning to get frustrating. Dancing Sword was beaten by less than a length on his return to the level last time after having had a couple of spins over jumps since a long spell out of action. He's up a pound in the weights for that run but now a bit fitter he should be in the mix again. Drizzi has been on form this term following a couple of silver medal runs with a victory last time over course and distance. That was easy enough to suggest he too can over come a mark rise and go well once again. A pretty decent handicap this and we just go for Carlton Scroop to win again.
Red Hot Desert 5-2fav (8-13) Raced in last place, pushed wide into straight 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left and stayed on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Chalice Welcome (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, ridden over 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 19l behind Khun John (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
Mustajed 8-1 (10-2) Raced wide, held up, headway to go in touch over 4f out, ridden 3f out, hung left and weakened over 2f out, 13th of 17, 18l behind Blue Spinnaker (10-2) at Doncaster 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gs in Mar.
Squad 8-1 (9-6) Always behind, 9th of 13, 6l behind Giant Sequoia (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Carlton Scroop (FR) 9-4fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on inside from 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar beating Little Sark (8-7) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Uncle Eli (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside 5f out, led 3f out, headed well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 9l behind Mountain Forest (8-5) at Kempton 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Drizzi (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 6f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar beating Where's Susie (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Dancing Sword 40-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, headway well over 2f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Gremlin (8-12) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Colonel Sherman (USA) 5-4fav (9-3) Keen, tracked winner, pushed along 3f out, effort on inside 2f out, driven over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Nayessence (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Devon Diva 40-1 (8-9) Always towards rear, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 12l behind King Canute (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Feb.
First To Call 9-4fav (9-8) Led 2f, chased winner, challenged going well 2f out, ridden over 1f out and found little, no extra and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 7, 6l behind Prince Picasso (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Celtic Commitment 33-1 (10-0) Pulled hard, led after about 1f, headed over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Ebiayn (10-0) at Kempton 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Wabbraan (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Led until over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 26l behind Augustus John (10-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
