held up, switched right 2f out, ran on and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led over 2f out, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, eased when weakening inside final furlong
A tight little handicap can go to Citrus Chief ahead of Always Best and Colditz. Just the three runners line up here, and with a fitness and weight advantage, the odds are that Citrus Chief will take the beating. The Ron Harris-trained colt has not been beaten far on either of his last two attempts at Lingfield and Kempton, having been up with the pace throughout. This will be his first try at 12-furlongs, and although the dam is sprint-related, the belief is that this longer trip will actually bring out the best in him. Colditz has to give 9lb to the selection, and flopped badly on his first try over 12-furlongs at Southwell in February. That was his first run since September though, and he will strip fitter. Always Best has not been seen since leaving the money in the bookies' satchels at Wolverhampton in November, and is another that tries this trip for the first time. He should have no worries on that score, being related to winning hurdler The Pen in fact, and will be produced as fit as possible by Mark Johnston. As stated, there is little to choose between the trio really, and only a cautionary vote goes to Citrus Chief.
Colditz (IRE) 28-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden over 3f out, gradually weakened, last of 5, 21l behind Six Day War (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Feb.
Always Best 7-2fav (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, hung left and no extra final furlong, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Habalwatan (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Citrus Chief (USA) 7-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, slighty outpaced over 1f out, kept on again inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind King of The Beers (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Mar.
