tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish
tracked leaders, led after about 1f, ridden and clear over 1f out, easily
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish
mid-division in 4th, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace
always towards rear
led for about 1f, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
Handsome Stranger is a winner without a penalty after picking up an apprentices' race at Southwell last week. He'd earlier scored over track and trip so looks a leading contender in this. Understory was threatening to score at the turn of the year but has gone off the boil recently and Meddling makes more appeal after a recent second at Lingfield. Mr Lando remains in the handicapper's grip so the vote goes to ARABIAN HIEGHTS, a close-up fifth over today's trip last week having tumbled 19lb down the weights since last summer.
Understory (USA) 9-2 (9-3) Led, driven and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 7l behind Whitby Jet (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Arabian Heights 14-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, no impression towards finish, 5th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Munsarim (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Handsome Stranger (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Close up in rear, went 3rd 4f out, ridden over 2f out, led entering final furlong, pushed out, won at Southwell 1m 3f app hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Jacobs Son (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Alhaban (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 11l behind Mahadee (8-4) at Kempton 1m 4yo clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Feb.
Mr Lando 11-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway on inside under pressure over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 7l behind Dimitar (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Meddling 10-1 (8-7) Keen close up in last place, effort to press winner entering final furlong, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Waveguide (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Sam Spade (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) In touch in mid-division on inside, pushed along 3f out, ridden and outpaced 2f out, no danger after, 7th of 12, 8l behind Spirit Of Gondree (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.