soon led, headed after 3f, hard driven to challenge 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on strongly, no chance with winner
went right start, held up mid-division, chased leaders over 3f out, soon hard ridden, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, effort when short of room over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, kept on strongly, never nearer
chased leaders, under pressure well over 3f out, soon weakened
led after 3f, headed over 8f out, led again over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 5f out, chased leaders over 2f out, soon led on bit, ran on strongly
tracked leaders, lost place over 5f out
slowly into stride, behind, headway halfway, soon beaten
tracked leaders, led over 8f out, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
Richard Hughes is an interesting booking on Byblos, who ran well in maiden at Kempton on his return to the level last time, but STAR CHOICE is the form animal in this handicap so lands the vote with Prince Charlemagne also considered. Having threatened to win a race off this mark for some time the selection duly obliged in an apprentice contest on his last go and as such is un-penalised. The manner of that success suggested he's not done yet so he rates as a confident selection. That said Byblos could be a fly in the ointment having impressed when returning to this sphere last time with a good run at Kempton. He looks competitively treated now in a handicap but the way he got outpaced last time suggests to us this track will not be ideal. Prince Charlemagne was a little disappointing back in these ranks on his last run but with a pound off his back should be a leading contender with his win three starts back suggesting there's more in the locker. Mustajed found only an on-form hotpot too good off this rating on his last run so should be in the mix again but allowed to turn out under his winning mark of last time Star Choice is the star choice.
Byblos 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Chink Of Light (8-5) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Feb.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leader 5f, stayed in 3rd, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 5l behind Sinbad The Sailor (9-1) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Sagunt (GER) 8-1 (10-7) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, switched right, kept on, not reached leaders, 6th of 13, 6l behind Bavarica (10-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f am hcp (0-70) (5) pol in Feb.
Mustajed 16-1 (9-2) In touch, pushed along 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Spruce (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Man of Gwent (UAE) 28-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon ridden along, headway to go prominent after 2f, chased winner over 6f out, lost 2nd 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, last of 10, 41l behind Mick's Dancer (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Cold Turkey 40-1 (8-13) Held up, always behind, 12th of 14, 13l behind Franco Is My Name (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Star Choice 9-4fav (9-7) Tracked leading pair, led approaching 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Lingfield 2m app hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Himba (8-6) by 3l, 5 ran.
Royal Premier (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Raced wide tracked leader, led 8f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 15l behind Coda Agency (9-9) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Captain Flack 10-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, driven along 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, 21l behind Delorain (8-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Granski (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Prominent, moderate 2nd approaching straight, weakened from over 1f out, 11th of 14, 18l behind Happy Moments (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
