tracked leader 1f, tracked leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader 9f out until 1f out, weakened final furlong
went right start, led, steadied halfway, quickened 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, shaken up inside final 2f, ran on but headed post
held up in 5th, headway on outside over 1f out, ridden and went 2nd 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, led post
steadied start, held up last, headway when not clear run and switched left over 1f out, one pace in 3rd inside final furlong
Victory Bond won over today’s trip at Lingfield in December with Furzig behind and is not out of this. The latter went on to win over 1m4f at the same track but Arctic Sound was no match for the winner when stepped up in trip for a conditions race at Wolverhampton, though finished ahead of PIVOINE. But Andrew Balding’s charge was having his first outing since November on that occasion and, with improvement expected back in handicap company for the first time since landing the John Smith’s Cup at York last summer, he gets the vote. Nonios is back on a winning mark though hasn’t been at his best of late.
Pivoine (IRE) 11-4 (9-1) Prominent 1f, chased leaders, shaken up and not much room briefly 2f out, edged left entering final furlong, went 3rd, no impression, 3rd of 4, 6 1/4l behind Global Giant (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Arctic Sound 12-1 (9-0) Led early, tracked leader, led again over 1f out, soon headed and not pace of winner, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Global Giant (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Victory Bond 11-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden on outer 1f out, stayed on towards finish, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Rangali Island (8-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Furzig 4-1 (9-7) Raced wide pulled hard, close up, headway to lead halfway, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Pirate King (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Nonios (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Slowly away, held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, went 4th inside final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 6 1/2l behind El Ghazwani (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Jan.