slowly into stride, in touch, lost place over 3f out
pulled hard in rear, headway to lead over 6f out, hard ridden when headed inside final furlong, no extra
in touch on outside, weakened 3f out
pulled hard early, chased leaders, weakened well over 2f out
chased leaders, hard driven to challenge over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, just held on
mid-division, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, kept on same pace towards finish
led until over 6f out, remained prominent, rallying when hung left under pressure inside final furlong, faded
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, every chance well inside final furlong, just held
De Lesseps popped-up at 33/1 here last time to end a long losing run and a 7lb rise may well anchor him. Welliesinthewater scored over 7f at Southwell a week ago but has come up short over this longer trip before while The Happy Hammer also won over 7f last time though the veteran scored over course and distance last year. Gracious George finished ahead of Hierarch when runner-up at Kempton last time and has every chance but PRIMROSE BROWN is just preferred on her recent second over track and trip to Kalon Brama. That was her first start handicapping and she gets the nod with further progress expected today.
Welliesinthewater (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Raced wide tracked leaders, effort to challenge over 1f out, soon every chance, ridden inside final furlong, led near finish, won at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Afkar (9-1) by nk, 6 ran.
Fingal's Cave (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Held up in last pair, pushed along halfway, headway on outside over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened soon after, 5th of 6, 7 3/4l behind Explain (9-0) at Windsor 6f stks (5) gf in Jun.
The Happy Hammer (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to lead post, won at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Misu Pete (8-12) by hd, 8 ran.
Primrose Brown 9-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Kalon Brama (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp fll (5) pol in Jan.
Gracious George (IRE) 10-3 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on, unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Exalted (8-8) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Hierarch (IRE) 5-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, under pressure 2f out, soon no impression, 4th of 5, 2 1/4l behind Exalted (9-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Venus Grace 9-1 (8-7) Led, headed over 5f out, led again over 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Until Midnight (9-5) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Toymaker 7-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 3, 3 3/4l behind Jumbo Prado (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
De Lesseps (USA) 33-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, switched outside and ran on well inside final furlong, edged left, led final 75 yards, soon clear, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Ela Goog La Mou (9-6) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
