dwelt held up well of the pace, pushed along over 5f out, weakened 4f out, tailed off
tracked winner until ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
made all, pushed along and edged left over 1f out, driven out
close up, headway to chase winner over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
Guards Chapel has won twice recently over this trip at Lingfield and, though 4lb higher, looks to have another good opportunity. But Keep Kicking is 4lb better off for a beating of just over two lengths in that former event and has a fair chance of reversing the form while FebThirtyfirst, who started favourite, wasn't beaten far. Dukes Den was a long way behind but has run better at Wolverhampton since and Noguchi shouldn't be underestimated as he's won over the trip at Southwell. Valid Reason isn't getting any younger and hasn't won since 2011 but APOLLO ELEVEN ran his best race for some time on his all-weather debut at Wolverhampton and, if taking to this surface, could be good enough in a tricky race.
Keep Kicking (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Held up, headway on inner over 1f out, ridden to challenge leader inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Guards Chapel (9-8) at Lingfield 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Valid Reason 7-2 (9-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Keep Kicking (9-10) at Chelmsford City 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Apollo Eleven (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased leaders, went 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Gabrial The Terror (9-12) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-75 (5).
Noguchi (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Brassbound (9-4) at Chelmsford City 2m hcap (4) pol in Feb.
Feb Thirtyfirst 9-4fav (9-0) Keen held up, tracked leaders after 4f, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 3l behind Guards Chapel (9-8) at Lingfield 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Dukes Den 9-4fav (9-5) Held up in last pair, pushed along 7f out, reminders 3f out, headway over 1f out, went 3rd and hung left inside final furlong, soon every chance, stayed on same pace towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Yorkshireman (9-4) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-60 (6).
Guards Chapel 6-1 (9-8) Dwelt held up last place, good headway approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb beating Takeitfromalady (9-6) by 3/4l, 11 ran.