with leader, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
led until over 2f out, soon rallied, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on into 4th, nearest finish
tracked leaders, effort 2f out, stayed on into 2nd close home
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
dwelt, behind, headway 2f out, chasing leaders on far rail when short of room and eased inside final furlong
in touch, hard driven on outside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
Wiley Post is 4lb higher today having won over track and trip last time so COUNT OTTO (NAP) is worth another chance in this. Amanda Perrett’s charge was beaten only a neck in Class 2 company at Lingfield before finding himself trapped on the rail back at the same track last time and he could prove the one to beat with normal luck in-running and an apprentice’s allowance further helping his cause. Busby and Eljaddaaf could both go well back over 6f today while Sparkalot returns to action on a winning mark and Treacherous will be sharper for a recent reappearance having won last year’s renewal.
Count Otto (IRE) 4-1fav (9-10) Chased leader over 1f, close up on inside, pushed along over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Fuente (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Prince of Rome (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Chased leaders on outside, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Gamgoom (9-7) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Eljaddaaf (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Held up in last pair, headway well over 1f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden and went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on but never going pace to reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Ginger Fox (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Wiley Post 13-2 (9-5) Prominent, took keen hold, led and edged left 2f out, ridden out, held on, won at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Split Down South (9-1) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Sparkalot 11-4fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, good headway between horses 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, not quite pace to reach leaders, 4th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Polybius (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Treacherous 20-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway far side of group chasing leaders halfway, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Hart Stopper (9-6) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Busby (IRE) 5-2fav (8-10) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance just inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Revolutionise (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Martineo 7-1 (9-0) Awkwardly away, raced wide chasing leaders, wide on bend 4f out, ridden inside final 2f, weakened soon after, 7th of 8, 13l behind Ginger Fox (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
The Lamplighter (FR) 5-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, headway going well looking for room over 2f out, led and hung left to far rail well over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Michaels Choice (8-12) at Brighton 5f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Venture (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Switched sharply right after start, held up last, headway on inside chasing leaders 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, no chance to reach leaders, 4th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Enthaar (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
