MOUNTAIN ROAD is on the upgrade and, having scored over two miles here in September, returned to beat Spit Spot and Pons Aelius over the trip last month. The latter has since won over two miles at Kempton, with Temporize well beaten, for which he's penalised and that's probably his trip but Spit Spot is entitled to get a bit closer on the revised terms. Zestful, who tackles the distance for the first time, hasn't had much racing and has changed yards.
Mountain Road (FR) 5-2 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway on inside final bend, led over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (2) pol in Nov beating Spit Spot (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Pons Aelius (IRE) 17-2 (8-3) Prominent, switched left over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m hcp (2) pol in Dec beating Rainbow Dreamer (9-11) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Temporize 11-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, effort over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 12 3/4l behind Pons Aelius (8-3) at Kempton 2m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Spit Spot 33-1 (8-10) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway when not much room over 1f out, eased out right, went 2nd inside final furlong, not much room and switched right, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Mountain Road (9-9) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Zestful 6-1 (8-8) Led, pushed along and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 8 1/2l behind Stay Alert (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f fll stks (5) pol in Apr.
