slowly into stride, towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on
in touch, weakened 3f out
prominent, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened
mid-division, headway on outside 3f out, hanging left and bumped over 1f out, led close home
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders and one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden 3f out, hampered on bend over 1f out, one pace
towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, ridden to chase leaders and faded approaching final furlong
slowly into stride, held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, switched left and kept on, every chance close home, just denied
tracked leaders, weakened 2f out
held up, headway 3f out, led and bumped over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong
dwelt, soon in touch, ridden approaching 2f out to chase leaders, every chance well inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
led, headed over 4f out, ridden and weakened soon after
Scamperdale cruised to victory last time out and a 5lb penalty may not be enough to scupper his chances today so he gets the vote ahead of Norwegian and Spark Up. The form of Scamperdale's last win has been franked by the runner-up Pop Music going in since in good fashion, and with Sonia Eaton not having to push the horse too hard for his win 23 days ago, he could well be ahead of the handicapper. Spark Up has been the model of consistency this winter on the all-weather however he will have to pull out a bit more if he is to take this trappy contest, especially as he could get taken on for the lead and may not be a happy horsey after that. Green Pirate's recent sixth was a disappointment, and it could just be that he doesn't see out this longer trip as well as over seven furlongs. Norwegian battled well to win last time out so must be respected, especially with his jockey's claim negating his rise in the weights. Windy Prospect has won off 84 before but has looked out of love with the game recently so is passed over, along with Harare who now looks on a stiff enough mark. Of more interest could be Shane Kelly's mount Under Fire who's close second last time out reads well in the context of this race, and as he was only raised a pound for that close defeat, he looks booked for a place at least today. However, we will stick with Scamperdale to go in again, as he may just be ahead of the handicapper.
Scamperdale 10-1 (8-6) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Pop Music (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Harare 11-2 (9-1) Mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and edged left entering final furlong, soon not clear and switched left, kept on, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Norwegian (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Spark Up 13-2 (8-11) Led, headed over 7f out, led again over 6f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 13, 3l behind Norwegian (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Green Pirate 2-1fav (8-8) Slowly into stride, mid-division when hampered over 6f out, not clear run and hampered over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 6th of 13, 9l behind Norwegian (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Windy Prospect 9-1 (8-3) Behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind Dudley Docker (8-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
The City Kid (IRE) 6-1 (8-4) Held up, headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo clm (6) pol in Dec beating Rose Muwasim (8-8) by 1l, 5 ran.
Under Fire (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, every chance well inside final furlong, just denied line, 2nd of 13, shd behind Tyrone Sam (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol.
Norwegian 8-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Cabourg (8-9) by a nk, 13 ran.
