held up tracking leaders on inside, headway on innner over 2f out, went 2nd approaching final furlong, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on, just held last strides
led and set steady pace, pushed along and quickened over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened and lost places towards finish
took keen hold, tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, ran on gamely and on top final strides
held up tracking leaders in 6th, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, took 3rd towards finish
restless in stalls, chased leaders on outside, switched left over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken well over 1f out, kept on in closing stages, not pace to threaten
held up and always in last pair, never involved
took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, took 4th post, not pace to threaten
NonRunner
Franco's Secret is upped only 2lb as he bids for a treble on the back of a course and distance success and can confirm running with fourth-placed Mister Music. Fire Diamond’s winning run came to an end off today’s mark at Lingfield while Fort Jefferson never figured on his reappearance at Southwell having landed a double on the Turf last summer. A winner on the all-weather in France, CHERBOURG (NAP) was having his first start since October and making his debut for Ralph Beckett when going close at Lingfield last month. Dropping down a grade for this, he can go one better.
Franco's Secret 8-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up last, good headway on inside chasing leaders 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, led last strides, won at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Ice Royal (9-9) by hd, 9 ran.
Cherbourg (FR) 10-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, headway on wide outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, nk behind Chevallier (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Alejandro (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Nimr (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Zaeem 14-1 (8-12) In touch, lost place well over 1f out, 7th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Holiday Magic (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Mister Music 5-1 (9-2) Held up in last trio, headway towards inside 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, went never nearer 4th towards finish, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Franco's Secret (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Beleave 14-1 (9-2) Went to post early and difficult loading, rearing as stalls opened and awkwardly away, held up, in rear, good headway in centre tracking leaders 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Fort Jefferson (9-3) at Newbury 1m hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Matravers 2-1fav (8-13) Held up mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Killing Time (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Fire Diamond 13-8fav (9-9) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ran on inside final furlong, went 4th post, never on terms, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Polar Kite (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Fort Jefferson 10-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 8, 22 1/2l behind Mithqaal (9-7) at Southwell 1m hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Freight Train (IRE) 150-1 (8-7) Soon led, headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened rapidly over 2f out, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Franco's Secret (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Feb.
