keen held up toward rear, ridden over 2f out weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, effort 2f out, not much room entering final furlong, switched right and kept on
raced wide in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden and stayed on final furlong, not reach leader
prominent, chased leader over 2f out, ridden and every chance when hung left over 1f out, not run on
chased leader until over 2f out, kept one pace
led, clear halfway, ridden and hung right well over 1f out, headed and stayed on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
held up toward rear, wide and some headway over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
always in rear
Atlantic Story's run on the all-weather may now have stopped because of the handicapper however two other progressive horses, Bazroy and Neardown Beauty, could be the two to focus on and preference is for the last-named. Both have a holdup style of racing which means that the handicapper may be struggling to get to grips with them despite both shooting up the weights. The selection represents a stable going well and can further add to their success. Alfresco and Gallantry are just two of a number of course and distance winners in the lineup and both needs respect, along with Monkey Glas who comes here chasing a hat-trick of wins in the visor. A case can be made for many of these, with Capable Guest, Councellor and Plum Pudding all looking to be on fair marks. A very competitive but intriguing race, in which Neardown Beauty is taken to win again.
Bazroy (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Held up, rapid headway over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, led post, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Super Frank (8-8) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Atlantic Story (USA) 11-4 (9-4) Took keen hold, held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 7, 1l behind Capable Guest (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan.
Alfresco 8-1 (9-2) Started slowly, held up in rear, not clear run over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Capable Guest (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan.
Capable Guest (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, quickened inside final furlong, led final strides, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan beating Gallantry (8-11) by a hd, 7 ran.
Bomber Command (USA) 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden 4f out, headway over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Capricorn Run (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Neardown Beauty (IRE) 2-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on inner over 2f out, led just over 1f out, ran on, won at Kempton 1m fll hcp (4) pol beating Confidentiality (9-4) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Plum Pudding (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, 13th of 14, 26l behind Heaven Knows (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
Councellor (FR) 13-2 (8-9) Led 7f out, ridden and joined over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, last of 5, 2 1/2l behind Atlantic Story (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcap (2) pol in Dec.
Monkey Glas (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Dwelt, soon led, ridden 2f out, pressed entering final furlong, driven out, just held on, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan beating Alfresco (9-5) by a shd, 9 ran.
Gallantry 8-1 (8-11) Started slowly, towards rear, headway 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 7, hd behind Capable Guest (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan.
Sailor King (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Held up in rear, wide into straight 2f out, ran on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan beating Super Frank (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Imperial Echo (USA) 6-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 10l behind Ingleby Arch (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-90 (3) fbs.
