towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt held up, headway 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on
in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
keen close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
keen held up, headway over 2f out, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, kept on one pace
towards rear, effort 2f out
close up, ridden and weakened 3f out, tailed off
It’s unusual for a card to begin with the day’s feature but these are strange times. Celestran, owned by Cheveley Park and trained by John Gosden, makes his handicap debut having run only twice last season. He’s a well-bred individual who is likely to improve again this year. Group One Power was 2-2 on Polytrack at the start of the year and is another likely to go on to better things. Arthur's Court is a bit more exposed than some but will be suited by this step up in trip and the Sir Percy colt School Of Thought should be winning soon. Union and Naizagai should make their presence felt but Sir Mark Prescott’s three-year-olds rarely arrive at the track under-cooked so we’ll take a chance on BODYLINE, a fast-improving half-brother to three winners who will have no problem with the extra yardage.
Bodyline (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Pressed winner, pushed along and every chance 2f out, soon ridden and hung left, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Stoweman (9-0) at Chepstow 7f stks (4) gd in Aug.
HMS President (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Prominent, led over 1f out, ran on, won at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (4) pol in Nov beating Mrs Upjohn (9-0) by 3l, 13 ran.
Celestran 9-4fav (9-5) Well in touch on inside, headway chasing leaders 2f out, ridden and stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Nov beating Kipps (9-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Union (IRE) 4-9fav (9-9) Chased leader, challenged 2f out, ridden over 1f out, held by winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Special Lady (8-11) at Newcastle 7f stks (5) pol in Feb.
Naizagai 4-5fav (9-5) Dwelt, pushed along and soon tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, but not pace to challenge, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Transition (9-5) at Lingfield 1m stks (5) pol in Nov.
Zabeel Champion 8-11fav (9-9) Led, ridden when hard pressed over 1f out, stayed on gamely final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Wadi Al Salaam (9-2) at Newcastle 7f stks (6) pol in Oct.
Group One Power 4-5fav (9-9) Raced keenly, chased leader, ridden to lead just over 1f out, pushed out, won at Lingfield 1m stks (5) pol in Feb beating Amsby (9-2) by 1l, 7 ran.
Lady Lynetta (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Made all, edged left when challenged approaching final furlong, hard driven, held on gamely, won at Newmarket 7f mdn fll stks (4) gd in Sep beating Baaqy (9-0) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
School Of Thought 5-2fav (9-5) Prominent, led over 1f out, wandered entering final furlong, soon headed, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Newbolt (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m stks (4) pol in Nov.
Make It Rain (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon clear, kept on well, won at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Believe In Love (9-0) by 3 3/4l, 12 ran.
Arthur's Court (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Slow into stride. in rear, pushed along and short lived effort on outer 2f out, last of 9, 5l behind Dogged (8-10) at Newmarket 1m (2) gd in Sep.
Goddess Of Fire 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 7 3/4l behind Believe In Love (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
