prominent early, soon chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and switched to outer 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
soon settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden and closer on outer 2f out, under pressure in 7th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
disputed early, headed after 1f and chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to press leaders 2f out, close 3rd 1 1/2f out, no extra 1f out
held up, ridden under 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and close behind leaders 2f out, kept on same pace from 1f out
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon no extra
pushed along early, soon prominent, led after 1f, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, under pressure in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in mid-division, ridden to close on inner 2f out, close 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace
Jon Ess reverted to the Flat after a long spell over hurdles with a convincing victory over 1m2f last month. He's been raised 7lb but is even better over this trip. Nimitz and Art Of America were both behind and the latter had just held on from Muzbid over that shorter trip earlier in receipt of 8lb. Sheisdiesel, who completed a four-timer here last spring, has looked a few pounds high recently while Guild, a winner at Bath in 2018, looked suited to 2m when runner-up to King's Vow last month, though has been left on the same mark. Political Policy gained his ninth all-weather victory when sent to Wolverhampton earlier this month while Ciao has won twice in 27 starts, both over the extended 1m2f on this track. Narynkol finally got off the mark in a maiden last week but this is tougher so the vote in a very competitive handicap goes to MUNAAJAAT, who stepped up to 1m3f at Kempton 10 days ago to win a fillies' handicap convincingly and can make enough progress to defy a 5lb rise.
Jon Ess (IRE) 4-1fav (9-8) Raced in 3rd early, soon 2nd, effort straight, led from 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan beating Gougane Barra (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Sheisdiesel 11-4fav (9-3) Soon raced in moderate 6th, closed from over 4f out, effort straight, ran on without threatening inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Guinevere (8-4) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Muzbid (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and some headway early straight, switched right under 2f out, 6th and ridden on outer over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m 4f pol in Jan beating Pak Army (9-1) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Nimitz (IRE) 5-1 (9-13) Dwelt, soon raced in 10th, headway straight, kept on without threatening final furlong, 5th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Jon Ess (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Art Of America 9-2 (9-8) Raced in 9th early, soon 8th, headway straight, kept on same pace without threatening final furlong, 7th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Jon Ess (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Narynkol 4-1 (9-9) Held up in rear of mid-division, some headway early straight and 4th over 1f out, pushed along and headway between horses to lead 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn pol in Feb beating Indignation (9-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Ciao (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hampered 2nd, ridden into 6th after 3 out, no extra before next, 8th of 17, 15 1/2l behind So Near So Farhh (10-8) at Down Royal 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Political Policy (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon not much room and switched right, ran on inside final furlong, led close home, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Liva (9-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Guild 33-1 (8-6) Edged slightly left away from stalls, a little keen, soon chased leaders, effort straight, kept on without troubling winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3l behind King's Vow (9-9) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
Munaajaat (IRE) 15-8fav (9-4) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden clear, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp fll (5) pol in Feb beating Voi (9-8) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
