steadied start, keen and held up in rear, headway on outer 4f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led at good pace, steadied gallop halfway, ridden and quickened over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
keen, held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, effort when hung left over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong
close up, chased leader well over 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
Luberon gets the confident vote in this handicap with Escape Route and Rayhani rating the main dangers. The selection was a good second behind Mr Aviatior last time out, that form looks solid and off the same mark here he looks the one to be on. Escape Route rates the main danger on his best form but he does not look the most resolute in a battle and he is taken on with this in mind. Rayhani hails from a yard that is just begining to find his form and he goes well fresh so the fact that he has not ran for 218 days need not be a bad thing. Snoqualmie Boy is from a yard in-form but looks weighted up to his best at present and for the winner we are happy to return to Luberon who ran so well last time out.
Clipperdown (IRE) 100-1 (9-5) Raced stand side, in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 16th of 21, 25l behind Smokey Oakey (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Snoqualmie Boy 28-1 (8-5) Tracked leader, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 10, 9l behind With Interest (8-11) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 2f hcp gd in Feb.
Luberon 10-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and hung right over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, just outpaced by winner, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Mr Aviator (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Rayhani (USA) 7-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 4th of 8, 9l behind Galactic Star (8-11) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) gf in Sept.
Escape Route (USA) 16-1 (8-9) Raced far side, chased leaders, hard ridden to challenge well over 1f out, kept on well under pressure, 5th of 21, 4l behind Smokey Oakey (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.