started slowly, soon close up in 4th, tracked leader 8f out, led 7f out, headed 2f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
in touch, effort on outside and pushed along over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
led at steady pace, headed 8f out, stayed handy, headway to track leading pair over 2f out, not clear run and switched left just over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd final 100 yards, not pace to reach winner
held up in touch, effort on outside well over 1f out, not pace to reach leaders
held up in rear, headway from 2f out, to chase winner over 1f out, no impression and lost 2nd final 100 yards
held up, effort on inside 2f out, 6th and no impression when hampered on rail inside final furlong
prominent in slowly run race, tracked leader over 3f out, led 2f out, ridden and in command over 1f out, stayed on well
tracked leader, led 8f out until 7f out, chased leader until 3f out, weakened quickly, tailed off
Nonrunner
FORMIDABLE GUEST is in good nick and she is preferred to Watchmaker and Cupid's Glory in this opening handicap. Jeff Pearce's mare has won three of her last five starts and she is only 9lb higher in the handicap now than her first success. She doesn't have a great draw but her hold-up style of racing means it isn't a problem and a bold bid is expected. Cupid's Glory was poor at Lingfield last time but is considered on his earlier win here, Buddy Holly has plenty to find with the selection on their recent clash but should now be fully fit after two runs this season, whilst Rapid City is consistent without winning. Watchmaker has the winning course and distance form and his third at Wolverhampton last time was promising after a fruitless spell over hurdles, so he is considered along with Blue Spartan who is still unexposed and looks capable of featuring off a mark of 78. A competitive start to the card where the consistent course winner Hawaana is not ruled out, but the tentative nod goes to Formidable Guest.
Ramona Chase 16-1 (9-1) Dwelt, keen in rear, ridden 2f out carried head high, no impression, 5th of 6, 8l behind December Draw (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Hawaana (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, stayed on from over 1f out, edged riight inside final furlong, went 4th last strides, 4th of 11, 5l behind King Olav (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Buddy Holly 8-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 9, 5l behind Formidable Guest (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Feb.
Formidable Guest 6-4fav (8-5) Held up in touch, switched right over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on well towards finish, always just held, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Stand Guard (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Cupid's Glory 6-1 (8-10) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 6l behind December Draw (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Rapid City 16-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway on outside 3f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Franco Is My Name (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Taaresh (IRE) 11-1 (8-4) Mid-division, headway on outside over 3f out, hung right from over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Cupid's Glory (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Watchmaker 11-1 (8-6) In touch, with winner and every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Shakalaka (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (5) pol in Feb.
Blue Spartan (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Behind, pushed along halfway, never in contention, 12th of 19, 16l behind Trafalgar Bay (9-5) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
