chased leaders, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead post
tracked leader, under pressure over 2f out, soon outpaced, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on
chased leaders over 3f
prominent, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed post
led, driven and headed over 1f out, no extra
Master Malarkey was just touched off last time, and can make amends, with Viewforth, King Egbert and Ashes seen as the other main contenders. This is a moderate handicap, and based on his latest effort at Brighton, Master Malarkey has leading claims. Christine Dunnett's four-year-old is still a maiden, but blazed the trail until all bar the line at the Sussex track, and with the blinkers on again, can go one better to finally break his duck. Viewforth was a Hamilton specialist for Ian Semple, but has been casting his net further afield since joining Mark Buckley, and the Pontefract third has been slipping down the weights, so looks a threat. King Egbert has flattered to deceive in the past, and Ashes threw away his chance at the start at Beverley last time. With Jamie Spencer on board to get him settled, it would be no surprise if Karl Burke's charge were to take a hand either, but we shall side with Master Malarkey.
Jakeini (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 11, 14l behind The History Man (8-12) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
King Egbert (FR) 13-2 (8-2) Chased leaders, soon pushed along, ridden and weakened 2f out, 6th of 11, 10l behind Cativo Cavallino (8-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Viewforth 9-1 (8-4) Prominent on outer, ridden along halfway, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Never Without Me (8-11) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Valiant Romeo 14-1 (9-6) With leader, ridden and effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 7, 4l behind Lake Chini (8-13) at Ayr 5f clm (5) gd.
Master Malarkey 33-1 (8-4) Led, ridden over 1f out, hung left under pressure inside final furlong, headed last strides, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Cosmic Destiny (9-9) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Prime Recreation 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders to halfway, 12th of 14, 10l behind Dodaa (9-0) at Southwell 5f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Feb.
Ashes (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Jumped violently left at start and towards rear, headway 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 17, 6l behind Jabbara (8-1) at Beverley 5f fll hcp (5) gd.
Avoca Dancer (IRE) 22-1 (8-7) Always in rear, last of 13, 10l behind Malapropism (9-1) at Windsor 5f hcap (5) gf in Jul.
