tracked leader 1f, handy 3rd on inside, 2nd again inside final 4f, closed on leader 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
mid-division on outside, weakened 4f out, soon behind, tailed off
raced keenly, tracked leaders, pushed along in 3rd over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold towards rear, pushed along and struggling in rear over 3f out, tailed off
held up and behind, headway on wide outside 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, went modest 4th over 1f out
slowly away, took keen hold towards rear, headway 3f out, switched right chasing leaders and hung left over 2f out, soon one pace and no impression, weakened
mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders 3f out, disputing well held 3rd and no impression 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in last pair, headway towards outside 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, plugged on in 3rd final 2f
led, clear when distracted by deer running on track entering straight, ridden and reduced lead inside final 2f kept on until headed and no extra inside final furlong
took keen hold towards rear, headway towards outside 3f out, hung left under pressure and weakened 2f out
Plenty with claims in this including top weight and recent classified stakes winner Desert Ruler while Brotherly Company scored at Southwell last time with Luv U Whatever behind, though is 5lb higher. Lazarus is penalised after winning over a shorter trip here but Henpecked can race off the same mark as when runner-up in an amateurs’ race over track and trip. SOMNAMBULIST has yet to win but slipped down the weights last year and found only one too good over course and distance last time. It could be his turn today and Keith Dalgleish’s charge gets the nod.
Desert Ruler 5-2 (9-2) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, soon challenged, kept on gamely to lead close home, won at Newcastle 1m 2f stks (5) pol in Jan beating Shamrokh (9-1) by hd, 8 ran.
Spes Nostra 80-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, never a threat, 10th of 11, 17 1/2l behind Great Court (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Brotherly Company (IRE) 22-1 (9-6) In touch, pushed along and headway to chase leader 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, stayed on final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Akkadian Empire (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Kings Gold (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Theos Lolly (9-7) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Archipeligo 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division, no impression final 2f, 9th of 10, 9 1/4l behind Thaqaffa (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Song Of Love (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Steadied start in touch in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Serenity Now (9-3) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Genres 10-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden and no impression from 2f out, 7th of 9, 10l behind Theglasgowwarrior (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Lazarus (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Towards rear, headway on outer over 1f out, kept on to lead close home, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Buckland Beau (9-9) by hd, 8 ran.
Henpecked 13-2 (11-3) Led main group but 15 lengths of leading pair, headway 3f out, not clear run 2f out, chased winner 1f out, ridden and stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Esspeegee (10-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Luv U Whatever 15-8fav (9-7) Raced wide, tracked leaders, pushed along to lead over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 5 3/4l behind Brotherly Company (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Somnambulist 7-1 (9-2) Close up, headway 2f out, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Theglasgowwarrior (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
