tracked leaders, outpaced 3f out, headway on inside to take 3rd over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, chasing winner and every chance 2f out, stayed on towards finish, always held
held up, hard ridden and outpaced 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd final 75 yards
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
A tight handicap which may see PEGASUS LAD make a winning return to action. Roly Boy represents the yard responsible for last year's successful trainer and won his sole start here so shouldn't be dismissed out of hand but three of the field come into the race on the back of wins and boast more solid recent claims. Efficiency had something in hand when scoring and may not be anchored by a 6lb rise but this company is more exacting. Statute Book has turned over a new leaf having been held in a seller and a claimer during his first three starts and there's no knowing where his improvement will come to an end. Pearl Of Manacor only needed to be pushed out to land his maiden and appears to be on a fair enough mark for his handicap bow so it will be interesting to see whether there's any confidence behind his chance. Pegasus Lad was disappointing when last seen given that connections had seen enough to pitch him into Listed company for his second start but it would be no surprise to see him bounce back on his return to action. He's been dropped by a couple of pounds, is bred to appreciate this surface and is from a yard going great guns so we'll side with Pegasus Lad.
Roly Boy 9-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, driven and weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 15l behind Definightly (9-7) at Doncaster 7f 2yo hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Pegasus Lad (USA) 7-2fav (9-7) Led, driven and headed over 1f out, soon hung left under pressure, weakened final furlong, 7th of 15, 5l behind Gal Aloud (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Pearl of Manacor (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden and bumped over 3f out, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, pushed out, won at W'hampton 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Jan beating Gurteen Diamond (8-12) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
The Winged Assasin (USA) 5-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, switched right to outside entering final furlong, stayed on well and closed on winner near finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Auld Arty (8-10) at Lingfield 6f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Statute Book (IRE) Evensfav (9-6) Held up behind mid-division, raced on outside, headway over 2f out, quickened well to lead over 1f out, soon clear, pushed out easily, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (6) pol in Feb beating Josiah Bartlett (9-6) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Efficiency 12-1 (9-5) In touch, headway on outside to lead just over 1f out, assertive inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Grand Honour (9-7) by 2l, 9 ran.
