slowly into stride, raced keenly, rapid headway to join leader 8f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
tracked leader over 1f, tracked leaders, 2nd again over 2f out, led just inside final furlong, soon clear, ran on well, eased towards finish
tracked leaders on inside, not clear run and switched right over 2f out, soon outpaced, ridden and no impression when hung left over 1f out
raced keenly, led until over 2f out, weakened and hung left inside final 2f, eased final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside in 4th over 1f out, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, never troubled leaders after
held up in touch, hung left and weakened over 2f out
held up, headway on outside over 2f out, went 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Battle Lines failed to convince he stays today’s trip when third at Newcastle while stablemate Iconic Sunset has won over 7f and steps up in distance along with Passing Clouds. The latter went close over a mile at Kempton recently but the vote goes to ORCHID LILY. She makes her handicap debut today and John Gosden’s yard has sent out three winners from five runners so far this month. Illusional is another handicapping for the first time and makes most appeal of the remainder.
Battle Lines 7-4fav (9-2) Very slowly away, keen close up in 4th after 2f, went 3rd over 2f out, soon ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Flag Festival (9-2) at Newcastle 1m 2f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Iconic Sunset 4-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, outpaced on outside well over 2f out, stayed on well closing stages, nearest finish, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Dr Richard Kimble (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f (4) pol in Oct.
Passing Clouds 16-1 (9-1) Raced keenly, soon led, headed after 1f, chased leader, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, led final 50 yards, headed close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Bachelor (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Illusional 15-8 (9-2) Led, headed over 3f out, led 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 4l behind Gowanbuster (9-2) at Newcastle 6f stks (4) pol in Nov.
Island Court (IRE) 11-2 (8-6) Held up in last pair, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, not pace to challenge, last of 6, 6 3/4l behind Guvenor's Choice (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f (3) pol in Dec.
Orchid Lily 4-1 (8-11) In touch in mid-division, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Sovereign Duke (9-2) at Kempton 1m stks (5) pol in Jan.
Normandy Blue 8-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, well beaten over 2f out, 10th of 11, 8l behind Corazon Espinado (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Destinys Rock 100-1 (8-11) In touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 11 1/4l behind Cross Counter (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Jan.
