keen in touch in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, no impression final furlong
keen early, close up, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, soon edged left, ridden out
led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on
tracked leader, ridden and edged right over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden and hampered over 1f out, kept on one pace
A tricky contest with several having their first start in a handicap and likely to improve. That includes the Irish raider DREAM POINT, who was placed over today’s trip at Lingfield on an earlier foray to these shores and Joseph O’Brien’s filly gets the vote. Finisher and Cross Swords are others with scope while the more exposed pair Rustang and Knight In Armour return to action with the former making more appeal on last year’s course and distance success.
Dream Point (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Blackgold Fairy (9-0) at Dundalk 1m mdn fll pol in Feb.
Rustang (FR) 9-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon chased winner, kept on and well held, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Baghdad (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f (5) pol in Nov.
Finisher (USA) 7-1 (8-7) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 10, 7 3/4l behind Morning Skye (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Cross Swords 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 5l behind Bowditch (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Mar.
Knight In Armour (IRE) 10-1 (8-3) Tracked leader, pushed along to challenge over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 9 1/4l behind Ship Of The Fen (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 1f (3) gs in Oct.
Verstappen (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Led after 2f, ridden and joined 2f out, kept slight lead until headed near finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Harbour Pilot (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Apr.