chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged left 1f out, soon challenged, held near finish
made all, kept on gamely, driven out
reared stalls, always struggling, towards rear
went right start, chased leaders, effort 2f out, weakened just over 1f out
bumped start, chased leaders until hung right and weakened just over 1f out
in touch, not much room 3f out, weakened over 1f out
with leader, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f
A pretty ordinary and trappy looking handicap greets us here and we try to solve this particular puzzle by giving CAPTAIN KALLIS our vote marginally over Hillside Lad and Jolly Ranch. With the selection putting in a good effort on very quick ground last time out in a warm looking contest we expect him to appreciate racing on a slower surface here and he should go well off what is now a nice looking rating. Hillside Lad concedes weight all around here but drops to a very manageable looking mark on ground which looks better for the gelding and he should go well over the trip he broke his maiden's tag. Jolly Ranch drops two pounds in the handicap after a solid but limited run on his handicap debut last time and is another who like this trip while Brian Meehan's Piste has been solid off this mark the last twice and may find more on this ground. Not a race to agonise over too much but Captain Kallis is our idea of the winner.
Hillside Lad 14-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led briefly over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Rio Royale (9-1) at Salisbury 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fm.
Piste 12-1 (8-9) Raced keenly behind, in touch, some moderate headway over 1f out, driven final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Celestial Dream (8-10) at Lingfield 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Silky Way (GR) 20-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Desert Strike (8-11) at Great Leighs 5f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Dec.
Captain Kallis (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, not clear run and lost place over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, soon edged right, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Bold Ring (8-6) at Warwick 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) fm.
Jolly Ranch 7-2 (8-10) Led, hard ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Sills Vincero (8-4) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Peper Harow (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) In rear far side group, headway 2f out, stayed on, 5th of 16, 7l behind Baby Queen (8-11) at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Day In Dubai 100-1 (8-6) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 16, 5l behind Rio Royale (9-1) at Salisbury 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fm.
Louie's Lad 50-1 (8-4) Raced keenly, led early, stayed tracking leaders on inside, hanging right throughout, no impression 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 12l behind Celestial Dream (8-10) at Lingfield 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
