wore hood to post, steadied start, held up in rear, never involved
held up towards rear, closer on inside turning in, 4th and no impression final furlong
chased leader, pushed along and lost 2nd over 2f out, ridden and no extra in 3rd over 1f out
off the pace in last pair, never involved
led and set decent pace, ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, lost on the nod
off the pace and always towards rear
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
wore hood to post, mid-division, headway 2f out, switched right over 1f out, no headway
chased leaders, went 2nd on inside over 2f out, strong challenge under pressure inside final furlong, won on the nod
ALMAAN (NAP) wasn’t at his best over a longer trip at Wolverhampton last time but had landed a course and distance double before that. Only 2lb higher than his latest success, he gets the vote in first-time cheekpieces. Blue Flame won over 7f at Newcastle earlier while Poetic Force landed a claimer over the same distance last month. Stopnsearch drops back down in trip but Always Fearless won over today’s distance at Lingfield in January.
Almaan (USA) 5-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, pushed along 2f out, hung left final furlong, never on terms, 8th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Fountain Cross (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Poetic Force (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Slightly slow to stride, towards rear, ridden 2f out, headway on inside over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 4 3/4l behind Dembe (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Baby Steps 9-1 (9-9) Soon disputing lead, pushed along and beaten over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 11 1/4l behind Love Your Work (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Elmejor (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Held up, ridden over 1f out, driven and headway inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 7l behind Enfranchise (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Rhubarb Bikini (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Keen in front, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, last of 6, 5 1/4l behind Dembe (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Always Fearless (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Held up in last pair, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, hung left and ridden inside final furlong, weakened into 4th inside final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 3l behind Finery (8-12) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Stopnsearch 4-1 (9-4) Headway to lead after 2f and steadied pace, pushed along 2f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, headed briefly, stayed on gamely. originially finished 1st, disqualified and placed 3rd, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Mar beating Busby (8-13) by shd, 7 ran.
Blue Flame (IRE) 7-4fav (9-4) Edged left start, chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no impression on winner after, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Sayifyouwill (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Mawkeb (USA) 16-1 (8-12) Led after 1f, steadied pace over 5f out, pushed along and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Fountain Cross (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
