steadied start, keen in touch in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
raced wide tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out and soon dropped to rear, eased
soon led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong
keen early, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong
Bernie's Boy went close in a claimer at Lingfield last week but was due to run here last night. Peggy's Angel was beaten only a neck in lesser company here a week ago but KING ROBERT (NAP) scored in this grade at Chelmsford last time. He’s 4lb higher today but beat a previous dual winner on that occasion and can go close again under Ryan Moore. Doc Sportello can figure back at this level having faced a tough task at Lingfield last month on his return from a lay-off.
Doc Sportello (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Awkwardly away in rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, last of 6, 6l behind Merhoob (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
King Robert 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Walk On Walter (9-7) by nk, 11 ran.
Al Asef 12-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 9th of 12, 6 3/4l behind Documenting (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Gold Hunter (IRE) 66-1 (9-1) Raced keenly and hung left most of way, chased leader until over 3f out, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 6, 16 1/4l behind Hathal (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Bernie's Boy 9-2 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Deeds Not Words (9-0) at Lingfield 6f stks (6) pol in Jan.
Peggy's Angel 50-1 (10-1) Keen in touch, pushed along and headway over 1f out, effort between horses to chase leader entering final furlong, ran on, went 2nd final strides, 2nd of 9, nk behind Choice Encounter (10-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.