chased leader, ridden to lead 2f out, held on well inside final furlong
led 5f, soon weakened and eased
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along halfway, never a danger
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
dwelt, pulled hard and held up in rear, ridden and kept on approaching final furlong, never nearer
slowly into stride, chased leaders after 1f, ridden 4f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, not reach leaders
in rear, ridden halfway, never a factor
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
soon ridden along in rear
raced wide, keen in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
Doctor's Cave, Cerebus, Shifty and Kingsmaite are three against the field in a tough race to call for punters and the narrow vote is given to Doctor's Cove. The selection has won his last two races in good style notably when beating Seldemosa last time out and although he has a penalty for that win he looks progressive and he is taken to defy the handicaper under conditions that suit. Cerebus rates the main danger on his latest third behind Eygiptian Lord but he has yet to win over a trip this far and looks opposable on that basis. Shifty is another that could go well as he has dropped to a handy mark but he has been done no favours by the draw. Of the remainder Kingsmaite is game and consistent and is sure to run his race while Haroldini could go well from the plot draw but for the winner we return to the progressive Doctor's Cove.
Shifty 7-2 (8-13) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 15l behind Rebellious Spirit (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Jan.
Conrad 16-1 (8-5) Always in rear, 10th of 12, 6l behind Hypocrisy (9-1) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Cerebus 9-1 (8-8) Dwelt, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Egyptian Lord (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Doctor's Cave 9-1 (9-2) Made all, kept on well final furlong, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Feb beating Seldemosa (8-10) by 4l, 14 ran.
Rafferty (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (9-8) Dwelt, never trouble leaders, 7th of 11, 3l behind Ellesappelle (9-3) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol in Feb.
Haroldini (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (8-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 10, 3l behind Zarabad (9-1) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Aperitif 25-1 (8-4) Pulled hard, headway 5f out, joined leader over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 9l behind Samarinda (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Kingsmaite 5-1 (9-4) Held up, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Holiday Cocktail (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
