tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, towards rear, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch and keen, led over 1f out, driven out
held up, towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on
tracked leaders and pulled hard, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up and behind, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
dwelt, in rear, headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, no extra towards finish
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
In competitive sprint handicaps such as this it can often pay to side with those in form, so our shortlist comprises of SECRET WITNESS, Kingsgate Castle and Peter's Gift with the first-named preferred. Ron Harris' gelding remains unexposed and followed a solid third with a second placed effort last time. Running off the same mark here, he looks almost a winner without a penalty as the pair were clear of a good field, so with conditions to suit and a reasonable draw he looks the one to beat. Kingsgate Castle won over course and distance two starts ago but now races off a 7lb higher mark. That said he was good enough to take second off a pound lower last time so must have solid prospects with conditions ideal. Peter's Gift is required to carry top weight but her second last time of 70 looks solid form, the question mark being whether she's the speed to cope with the drop to seven furlongs. With that doubt a considerable enough one, we're prepared to oppose her this time despite the view that she's handicapped to win races. Hollow Jo is always worthy of respect in these affairs but his win back in January prompted a rise to this mark of 67, one which he's struggled to win from for a couple of years, so he's up against it at the age of 10. Of more interest is Highland Harvest who might better his fourth last time if settling better; he certainly appeals as an each way angle. Fromsong has been consistent of late but he's another whose winning may be done for now, Resplendent Alpha has plenty on his plate with our selection and The Wee Chief looks to have been harshly punished for a maiden win here. This will doubtless be a fast and furious sprint handicap, one that could go to any one of several, but we like Secret Witness.
Peter's Gift (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, headed near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Borasco (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp (5) fbs.
Resplendent Alpha 10-1 (9-3) Behind, headway and not clear run over 1f out, no danger after, 9th of 12, 5l behind Fazbee (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Secret Witness 7-2fav (9-2) In touch, chased winner over 2f out, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Wyatt Earp (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol.
Hollow Jo 4-1fav (9-2) Keen and held up, kept on final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Jack Rackham (9-3) at Kempton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Fromsong (IRE) 11-4fav (8-13) Held up, no room over 1f out and throughout final furlong, finished full of running, not recover, 6th of 8, 2l behind Thoughtsofstardom (9-0) at Kempton 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Highland Harvest 10-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Jack Rackham (9-3) at Kempton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
The Wee Chief (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Held up and keen, headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Jack Rackham (9-3) at Kempton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Kingsgate Castle 4-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran on to take 2nd final strides, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Valentino Swing (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Loyal Royal (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Raced keenly, in touch, hampered over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 8l behind Sutton Veny (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-90) (5) pol in Jan.
Five Gold Rings (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Always behind, last of 9, 8l behind Absa Lutte (8-12) at Kempton 5f clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Oct.
