stumbled leaving stalls, ridden on outside 3f out, headway 2f out, kept on to lead inside final furlong
held up, never dangerous, eased final furlong
led, ridden when headed inside final furlong, fading
held up, ridden over 1f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, kept on
in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, not clear run throughout final furlong, unable to challenge
CAPTAIN CAREY can take command of this contest although Billy Beetroot is the potential fly in the ointment with Handcuff considered. Malcolm Saunders' runner is officially one pound well in under his 6lb penalty and he appeals as the type to improve again now that he has found his form. He has taken a while to get the hang of things but he swept to the front at Southwell and was value for a good bit more than the winning margin. His ability to handle fast ground has to be taken on trust and if the conditions expose a chink in his armour then the battle may be won by Billy Beetroot. He sports a tongue strap for his handicap bow and showed sufficient ability on his second start to be wary of him here. Hatman Jack is not without interest but the Powell horses have been struggling, Fangfoss Girls won her only turf start and has her first run for a new yard and Handcuff may benefit from a switch to racing on a faster surface. The one to beat though is Captain Carey.
Captain Carey 10-1 (9-2) Soon outpaced and behind, ridden along, headway approaching final furlong, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, readily, won at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Mar beating Dispol Grand (9-4) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Hatman Jack (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Pulled hard in rear, ridden over 2f out, no headway and soon weakened, 8th of 9, 13l behind Kiss A Prince (8-13) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Bees River (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Went right start, soon tracked leader, carried right over 3f out, remained close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Desert Strike (8-11) at Great Leighs 5f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Dec.
Fangfoss Girls 7-1 (8-4) In touch, outpaced over 1f out, no impression, last of 6, 5l behind Love You Louis (8-13) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Billy Beetroot (USA) 66-1 (8-12) Prominent, led after 1f, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 18, 16l behind Archie Rice (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn aut (4) gf in Sep.
August Days (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 8l behind Pressed For Time (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo sell stks (6) pol in Aug.
Handcuff 25-1 (8-12) Disputed 3rd until ridden and outpaced over 2f out, no chance and beaten after, last of 4, 12l behind Timeteam (9-2) at Lingfield 6f 2yo nov stks (4) pol in Oct.
