in touch, ridden over 3f out, chased leaders final furlong, ran on under pressure
tracked leader, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out
held up, ridden 3f out, plugged on
went left start, soon led, ridden over 2f out, joined, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up, ridden over 3f out, no impression
The John Hills-trained Caucasienne needed every single yard of the trip when successful at Brighton last week so should appreciate today's longer trip and the French import is taken to defy her 6lb penalty, with main dangers looking to be Move Over Darling and Spring Dream. The last mentioned has finally been given a chance by the handicapper and is now 6lbs lower than when last successful but Mick Channon's filly is hard to back with any confidence on recent evidence. Charmatic is only 2lbs higher than when scoring at Kempton last time but is not certain to stay this far, while Theatre Royal is proving hard to win with and remains a maiden after 11 starts. Paul Cole's Move Over Darling is lightly raced and could be well treated for her handicap debut but Caucasienne is potentially still ahead of the handicapper and gets the vote to win again.
Caucasienne (FR) 5-2fav (9-2) Close up, challenging from over 1f out, driven ahead final 50 yards, won at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Flying Spirit (9-4) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Move Over Darling (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) In touch, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Cedar Mountain (9-13) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stk (5) fbs.
Charmatic (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) In touch, driven to lead inside final furlong, all out, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr beating Pothos Way (9-1) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Spring Dream (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Settled in rear, some late headway final 2f, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 10l behind Gala Evening (9-10) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Squirtle (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Held up, pushed along 5f out, headway on inside well over 1f out, switched right 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Takafu (9-9) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Theatre Royal 16-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, steady headway on outside from 2f out, kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Royal Premier (8-10) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Lady Lucas (IRE) 100-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, hampered over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 9th of 10, 42l behind Elopement (8-1) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.