held up 5th, ridden and outpaced final 2f, never dangerous
held up 6th, headway 2f out, chased winner and effort over 1f out, pressed leader and every chance entering final furlong, always held final 100 yards
started very slowly, always last and tailed off final 3f
tracked leader, led 6f out to over 4f out, stayed pressing leader, ridden and weakened from 2f out
led to 6f out, led again over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, quickened to lead over 2f out, stayed on gamely when pressed entering final furlong, ran on well and in command final 100 yards
held up 4th, ridden to chase leader 2f out, effort over 1f out, not quicken, stayed on same pace
EIGHTEENFIFTY enjoyed a cosy success in maiden company here last time but he looks worth the selection on this his handicap debut, while Wind Flow is a danger. Jamie Spencer has a good idea of what to expect on the selection, having already finished runner-up on him in a Lingfield bumper on the Polytrack in November. George Baker was on board when the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding got his nose in front over 1m 4f here last month, and this step back up in trip looks a major plus, and he can follow up. Wind Flow also scored at the track last time and has gone up 5lbs as a result. He gets on very well with Catherine Gannon, but previous tries to stay this far have proved abortive and we will take him on. City Stable is back to a mark 3lb higher than he won from at Great Leighs in August, and although out of his depth last time he may well benefit from being freshened up and could take a close hand. Salute is well handicapped on most of his winning form and has scored over course and distance. If backed he would be interesting, while the same comments also apply to Pass The Port, who stays this far. An intriguing finale then and Eighteenfifty gets the nod.
Veiled Applause 5-1 (9-2) Always behind, 9th of 10, 20l behind Exit Smiling (7-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Feb.
Pass The Port 15-2 (9-12) Towards rear, headway over 3f, driven and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Keenes Day (9-5) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct.
City Stable (IRE) 3-1fav (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, never near leaders, 8th of 11, 15l behind Detonator (9-7) at Great Leighs 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) pol in Sept.
Horseshoe Reef (AUS) 7-2fav (8-13) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind War of The Roses (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Wind Flow 9-2 (8-6) Made all, ridden over 1f out, challenged well inside final furlong, kept on gamely, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb beating Wine 'n Dine (9-5) by a hd, 6 ran.
Salute (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, gradually weakened, 6th of 8, 8l behind Greenwich Village (9-13) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Eighteenfifty 1-3fav (9-6) Mid-division, headway when not much room briefly over 7f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to lead close home, won at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb beating Wray Castle (9-3) by a nk, 10 ran.
