disputed lead, ridden, every chance 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
took keen hold, mid-division, headway, not clear run 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on
led, ridden, headed well over 1f out, soon not clear run, weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out
took keen hold tracking leaders, hampered over 2f out, soon switched right, hung left, ran on inside final furlong
held up, ridden on outside over 3f out, never near leaders
took keen hold in touch, edged slightly left 2f out, soon led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway, not clear run on inside 2f out, soon hung right, no progress
switched left soon after start, in rear, held up, not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish
held up, not clear run from over 2f out until over 1f out, headway final f, never nearer
chased leaders, disputed lead from over 5f out until hampered 2f out, soon lost place
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, some headway on outside over 4f out under pressure, ridden, weakened quickly over 3f out, tailed off
Pigeon Island gets one last chance here with King's Spear and Contemplation put forward as the main rivals. Henry candy's colt obviously has ability but is not one to totally trust. However it is his course and distance run back in December that sways the vote. He finished a close second behind the 79 rated Whatizzit with a subsequent winner back in third. If that form is taken literally he is well handicapped here today and is a sporting choice with the yard in much better form. King's Spear is improving with racing and hails from a top yard, he must go close off what looks a fair mark on his handicap debut. Contemplation may have been flattered by his second to an odds on shot last time but could still figure in the finish here. Signal Hill rarely runs a bad race on looks the pick of the others, but Pigeon Island is the pick of the weights on his best form and he gets the vote.
Esthlos (FR) 20-1 (9-3) Led 2f, remained prominent, ridden over 2f out, led again over 1f out, headed last strides, 2nd of 14, hd behind Penryn (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Coalpark (IRE) 7-2fav (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden well over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Bright Sun (9-8) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) frm in Sept.
Veiled Applause 9-4fav (9-7) Prominent and raced alone on stand side, ridden and hung left approaching 2f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Lockstock (9-0) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sept.
Hilltop Destiny 16-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, headway halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Bentong (9-0) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Signal Hill 11-4fav (8-12) Took keen hold, soon prominent, settled in mid-division from 6f out, headway over 2f out, edged left and strong challenge from 1f out, ran on well, 2nd of 13, shd behind Evident Pride (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn hcp (5) pol in Sept.
Contemplation 11-2 (9-3) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Ebraam (9-3) at Catterick 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Sept.
Wassfa 10-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 3l behind Dorelia (8-12) at Lingfield 1m mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.
King's Spear (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) With leader, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 15, hd behind Lady Edge (9-3) at Warwick 1m mdn aut stk (6) gd in Sept.
