tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly away, behind, never a factor
keen tracked leader, led entering final 3f, ridden and edged right over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
always in rear
keen, tracked leading trio, ridden and no impression over 2f out, weakened and eased 1f out
led, headed entering final 3f, soon ridden, rallied entering final furlong, weakened towards finish
held up, headway on outer 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
chased leading trio, ridden and no impression over 2f out, effort inside final furlong, kept on same pace
in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, soon hung left, went 3rd inside final furlong, not quicken
PRINT should be up to taking this contest at the main expense of Billberry, Ocean Countess and the quirky Kipchak. Mick Channon's colt doesn't look entirely straightforward but he did remarkably well to win last time having pulled very hard early on. That first success should've boosted the horse's confidence and a 3lb rise looks to underestimate his superiority that day, so with the strong possibility of more to come he's given the vote to carry that improvement over to the turf; it's notable his best try on grass was on very quick ground. Should the likely favourite disappoint then the consistent Billberry looks primed to pick up the pieces. Stuart Williams' charge is very well treated on his all-weather form but that reflects the fact he's winless on turf. However, his profile suggests he's simply improved over the winter and there should be a race in him over the coming months. Ocean Countess has three wins and a second from four starts here so must be considered, especially for each-way players. She's got a small absence to overcome but course form counts for plenty here and it'll be fascinating to see how she gets on. Kipchak tends to reserve his best for Lingfield but has won on turf and can be hard to pass when in the mood, whilst Cordell has slipped to a very tempting mark but needs to show more and Noble Jack appears harshly treated. This is an interesting race and all runners have something to prove, but Print arrives at the top of his game and is selected.
Avertis 22-1 (8-12) Led 2f, chased winner until 3f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 28l behind Trans Sonic (8-3) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Noble Jack (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, no progress final 2f, 8th of 13, 6l behind Tudor Key (9-3) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
My Learned Friend (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 7l behind Copperwood (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Ivory Lace 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, lost place over 4f out, last of 11, 17l behind Copperwood (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Print (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Pulled hard tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, flashed tail and kept on final furlong, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar beating Gazboolou (8-8) by 1l, 8 ran.
Kipchak (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4l behind Malcheek (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Ocean Countess (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, short lived effort on inside over 2f out, 6th of 8, 5l behind Wunder Strike (8-5) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Cordell (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Led, edged right and headed well over 1f out, beaten when not much room inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Tous Les Deux (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f sell stks (6) pol.
Billberry 9-4fav (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, every chance well inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Copperwood (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Purus (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 5l behind Lopinot (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
