mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened and no chance final 3f
held up in 5th, off the pace, good headway inside final 3f, went 2nd over 2f out, no impression and hung right over 1f out, regained 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner
held up in rear, never in contention
held up last off the pace, good headway to track leading pair over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong
took keen hold, tracked clear leading pair until weakened over 2f out, broke blood vessel
always behind
raced freely, made most at fast pace and soon 8 lengths clear with one other, reduced advantage inside final 3f, weakened and headed over 1f out
held up in 8th and off the pace, headway over 2f out, stayed on, never reached challenging position
pulled hard, soon disputing lead and clear of rest, driven 4f out, weakened rapidly inside final 3f
mid-division, brief effort over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in 4th, headway and closing on leaders when badly hampered inside final 3f, not recover
Nonrunner
A wide open contest gets proceedings underway and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Nice Tune,Gingko, Krugerrand and Obrigado and the tentative vote is given to Nice Tune. The selection won well last time when beating Kindlelight Debut with a little in hand and although he has a penalty for that win he looks progressive and from a good draw he is taken to defy the handicapper . Gingko rates the main danger on his latest second behind Mina A Salem but this hold up performer needs everything to fall just right and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Krugerrand won well last time when beating Goodbye Mr Bond but this looks tougher and his penalty may just find him out. Obrigado has dropped to a handy mark and from a good draw could go well at a price. Of the others Red Birr is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we return to the progressive Nice Tune.
Pevensey (IRE) 18-1 (8-10) Prominent, hard ridden from 2f out until one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Sound Breeze (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
Nice Tune 5-1 (9-2) Held up, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f fll hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar beating Kindlelight Debut (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Northern Desert (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Keen, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Steely Dan (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Obrigado (USA) 10-3fav (9-2) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 2l behind Steely Dan (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Danelor (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) Led, headed over 2f out, rallied to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 1m 4f clm (6) fbs in Feb beating Khanjar (9-8) by 2l, 6 ran.
Hayyani (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Tracked leader until 3f out, 9th of 12, 5l behind Steely Dan (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
South O'The Border 3-1fav (8-6) Led, joined well over 1f out, headed 1f out, stayed on well, beaten when short of room, checked well inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Dower House (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Gingko 7-2 (8-8) Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, kept on well for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Mina A Salem (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 60-92 (4) pol in Mar.
Skidmark 20-1 (8-11) Pulled hard, in rear, hampered 3f out, soon behind, 11th of 12, 12l behind Newnham (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Bentley Brook (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Always behind, 12th of 13, 43l behind Bazelle (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Secretary General (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Chased leaders 1 mile, 10th of 16, 13l behind Vamp (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Krugerrand (USA) 10-1 (8-13) Held up, headway when not much room 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at York 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct beating Goodbye Mr Bond (8-13) by a nk, 20 ran.
Red Birr (IRE) 15-8fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, soon ridden and prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Zalkani (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
