stall opened fraction earlier than others, led, headed 2f out, lost place over 1f out
badly hampered over 5f out, tracked leaders racing keenly, went 2nd over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, ran on, headed towards finish
hampered over 5f out, held up, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, never dangerous
not much room over 5f out, behind, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish no impression on leading pair
hampered over 5f out, tracked leaders, not clear run over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
not much room over 5f out, held up, bumped 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
prominent, driven over 2f out, lost place over 1f out
held up, headway on inside over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
hampered over 5f out, held up, took keen hold, badly hampered 3f out, well held after
non runner
non runner
THE BIG LAD looks the least exposed in an open sprint. He remains unbeaten having won on his handicap debut here, beating Noble Deed - the latter went on to defeat Desert Strike and Quintus Cerialis. Head Space was ahead of Brazen Spirit, Bouclier and Saint Pois when runner-up here last month and can also figure while the returning Major Valentine landed a double over track and trip last year and is preferred to Chelwood Gate with the latter dropping back in distance after a string of placed efforts over a mile.
Desert Strike 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Sandfrankskipsgo (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
The Big Lad 7-2 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Noble Deed (9-3) by 1l, 11 ran.
Quintus Cerialis (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Midfield, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Noble Deed (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Brazen Spirit 13-2 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Doctor Parkes (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Chelwood Gate (IRE) 9-4jfav (9-6) Held up in rear, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, headway when not clear run inside final furlong, kept on, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind The Tichborne (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Honcho (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Tracked leader until halfway, soon ridden, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Mobsta (9-13) at Newmarket 6f stks (3) sft in Oct.
Head Space (IRE) 3-1 (8-10) Hampered start, in rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Doctor Parkes (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Saint Pois (FR) 5-1 (9-1) Slowly away in rear, ridden halfway, not trouble leaders, 5th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Bosham (9-13) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Major Valentine 6-1 (8-11) Chased leaders on outside, every chance over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, not reach winner, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Harrison Stickle (8-6) at Bath 6f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Spinning Cobblers 7-2 (8-11) Dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, switched right to chase leaders inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 8, 7l behind Money Team (9-5) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Light From Mars 12-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden and effort over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Searchlight (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Bouclier (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 7, 2l behind Doctor Parkes (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
