went left start, pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, outpaced 5f out, well beaten over 2f out
led, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
carried left start, chased leaders on inside, effort over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, stayed on
slightly impeded start, took keen hold, handy on outside, led over 2f out, went clear going well over 1f out, in no danger after, easily
went left start, tracked leaders, ridden and hanging right from over 1f out, soon went 2nd, no impression on winner, 3rd and stayed on inside final furlong
It doesn't get much tighter than this as, with the exception of the 72-rated Stylistik, all of these share the same handicap mark. Chelmsford winner Silk Gem faded quickly away in the closing stages of his reappearance but SUQOOR finished a close-up fourth over course and distance on his return - Chris Dwyer's charge may well be good enough in this. Musical Taste is 5lb higher than her victory at Wolverhampton in October but Highly Sprung drops in class for his first start of the year. Zauffaly was placed on a couple of occasions last term and makes his handicap debut.
Highly Sprung (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Fast And Furious (9-2) at Hamilton 6f (2) gs in Sep.
Musical Taste 9-4fav (9-3) Soon close 2nd, led 6f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f (5) pol in Oct beating Buffalo Soldier (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Silk Gem (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Raced wide close up, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 19 3/4l behind Hombre Rojo (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Stylistik 16-1 (8-0) Chased leaders near side, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 15, 8 1/4l behind Mix And Mingle (8-9) at Newmarket 7f fll (2) gd in Oct.
Suqoor 66-1 (8-13) Dwelt keen held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, not quicken towards finish, 4th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Ice Age (8-13) at Kempton 7f mdn stks (4) pol in Mar.
Zauffaly (FR) 14-1 (9-5) Dwelt, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 6l behind Cape Speed (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m mdn stks (3) pol in Dec.