led until headed narrowly 1f out, rallied under pressure inside final furlong, outpaced final 50 yards
tracked leaders, ridden and lost touch over 3f out, weakened rapidly, soon well behind
always towards rear, never near leaders
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden 3f out, some headway over 1f out, never nearer
held up in rear, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
held up 5th, chased leaders 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly 1f out, asserted final 50 yards
tracked leader, effort over 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
held up 4th, effort inside final 2f, not pace to challenge, weakened final furlong
Ameeq failed to take to hurdles but made a winning return to the level for Gary Moore when scoring in a maiden at Lingfield last month and he makes plenty appeal off what appears a fair mark in a handicap today with the biggest threats expected to come from Star Magnitude and Steely Dan. The last mentioned took advantage of a favourable mark when scoring at Lingfield last time but a 3lb rise for that narrow success may prevent him from following up. David Elsworth's Barry Island overcame a long absence from the track when scoring at Lingfield last month and cannot be ruled out having sensibly been given a nice break since then. Celticello is less exposed than most of these but lacks any experience of the Polytrack, while Consonant is hard to catch right and is difficult to back with any confidence. Star Magnitude has gone well this winter and would have to be considered but the vote goes to the former Marcus Tregoning inmate Ameeq, who is taken to follow up his recent maiden success.
Danehill Willy (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Always in rear, 10th of 11, 14l behind Admiral's Cruise (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Celticello (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression when hampered inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 8l behind Sound Breeze (8-9) at Ayr 1m hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Steely Dan 14-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, switched right approaching final furlong, ridden and ran to lead post, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Trifti (9-7) by a shd, 12 ran.
Barry Island 20-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, good headway and no clear run over 1f out, squeezed through, led well inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Gingko (8-10) by a nk, 9 ran.
Consonant (IRE) 11-4fav (8-11) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Mina A Salem (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 60-92 (4) pol.
Ameeq (USA) 3-1jt-fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on steadily to lead final half furlong, soon drew clear, won at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb beating Gus (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Red Contact (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 7th of 10, 10l behind Alfonso (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Feb.
St Savarin (FR) 12-1 (8-9) Behind, ridden over 2f out, edged left from over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2l behind Newnham (7-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Star Magnitude (USA) 5-1 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway from over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Danger Zone (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
