raced wide mid-division, headway to track leaders over 2f out, not clear run well over 1f out, soon switched right, effort and every chance inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, headway 2f out, soon every chance, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish, rallied to lead again post
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead towards finish, headed post
tracked leaders, chased leader when bumped entering final 2f, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra
in rear, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
in touch, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out, tailed off
towards rear, kept on final furlong, never nearer
led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led 3f out, ran wide into straight 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakening when hampered approaching final furlong
NonRunner
Zabdi may have won easily at Kempton last time but that was his first win in 18 starts and a 9lb rise looks a little harsh. Freddy With A Y has tumbled down the weights since last winning back in 2015 and was runner-up at Kempton recently while Polar Kite won over 7f here last month but hasn’t scored over this longer trip since 2011. Wink Oliver has been running well over 7f at Wolverhampton while dual hurdles winner Tsundoku failed to win in eight starts on the Flat when trained in Ireland. Spiritual Star has slipped down the weights but is drawn wide and STORMBOUND is preferred despite returning from a lay-off having won off a higher mark here in the past.
Spiritual Star (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Held up in last trio, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no threat, 7th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Captain Courageous (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Wink Oliver 9-1 (9-7) Mid-division on outside, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Murdanova (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Stormbound (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, headway on outside over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, no impression inside final furlong, lost 4th towards finish, 5th of 8, 9l behind Believe It (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Polar Kite (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, went 2nd and closed inside final furlong, led close home, just prevailed on the nod, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Bookmaker (8-6) by shd, 9 ran.
Greyfriarschorista 20-1 (9-2) Raced wide, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Custard The Dragon (9-8) at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Freddy With A Y (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, led 1f out, soon edged right and headed, held close home, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Papou Tony (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
George Baker (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders on inside over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Fire Diamond (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Tsundoku (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, in 4th and looking held when fell 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Cosmic Ray 12-1 (9-7) Led early, chased leader, lost 2nd and not much room over 1f out, no extra final 100 yards, 6th of 8, 5l behind Tee It Up Tommo (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Shifting Star (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up in touch, pushed along on outside over 2f out, outpaced inside final 2f, no threat after, 8th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Zabeel Star (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Majestic Myles (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Mid-division, driven over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace inside final furlong, no impression, 9th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Lucky Louie (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Zabdi 4-1 (9-7) Made all and set steady pace, quickened and pushed clear 2f out, ridden and ran on strongly, unchallenged, won at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb beating Dukes Meadow (9-5) by 3l, 11 ran.
