chased leader in 2nd, switched right under 2f out and soon ridden, dropped to 3rd under 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd under 2f out, went 2nd under 1f out, strongly pressed winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
very slowly away and held up in last, went 4th entering straight, ridden in moderate 4th 1 1/2f out, no impression
held up in 4th, dropped to last entering straight, ridden 2f out, no impression
made all, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
WATERSMEET completed a hat-trick of victories on Polytrack last spring in minor handicaps then stepped up to land a tough handicap at Newmarket. He has competed at a higher level than this, including a Listed contest at Lingfield last month, and can take this back to Middleham. Mandatario looked an improved performer when comfortably seeing off Shalaman here a fortnight ago but that was over two miles and this is a massive drop in trip. The runner-up is much better off over tonight's distance and should gain his revenge while Political Party has won four times on the track over the winter, though is probably better over a mile.
Mandatario 15-8fav (9-6) Held up in rear, progress on outer in straight and 2nd 1f out, led 100 yards out and kept on well, won at Dundalk 2m pol in Feb beating Shalaman (9-6) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Political Policy (IRE) 5-2 (9-2) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, weakened to last inside final furlong, last of 4, 2 1/4l behind Captain Joy (9-2) at Dundalk 1m pol in Feb.
Shalaman (IRE) 2-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 3rd halfway, progress in 2nd approaching straight and led under 2f out, ridden 1f out, headed 100 yards out and no impression on winner, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Mandatario (9-6) at Dundalk 2m pol in Feb.
Vivat Rex (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Prominent, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon lost place, 6th of 8, 20 3/4l behind Moohaarib (9-0) at Ascot 1m lst stks (1) gf in Apr.
Watersmeet 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Grendisar (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stks (1) pol in Feb.