held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ran on well, pushed out
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leader and keen, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra towards finish
DARK CASTLE won his maiden over track and trip and was sent off odds-on favourite for his handicap bow back at this track in January. He found one too good on that occasion but a couple of winners have come out of the race and he's given a chance to make amends. Mezzotint landed a double on the Polytrack at the end of last year with the re-opposing and subsequent winner Sky Crossing behind at Wolverhampton though he showed signs of temperament when disappointing on his reappearance and the jury is out on him at present. Newbury fourth Amphora is worth noting handicapping for the first time and Toffee Tart could figure on her return.
Mezzotint (IRE) 3-1fav (8-11) Mid-division not much room over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, no threat, 7th of 15, 14l behind Es Que Love (8-11) at Pontefract 6f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Toffee Tart 12-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, mid-division on far side rail, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on to challenge and every chance final 110 yards, just held, 2nd of 18, nk behind Our Cool Cat (9-3) at Ascot 6f 2yo stks (2) gd in Oct.
Dark Castle 8-13fav (8-13) Took keen hold, held up in 4th, headway on outside 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, pressed leader and every chance 1f out, readily outpaced inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Pale Orchid (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Lady Gibraltar 12-1 (9-6) Took keen hold led 5f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 5th of 6, 7l behind Four Better (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Sky Crossing 8-15fav (9-3) Raced keenly, made all, clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec beating Bold Cuffs (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Mitie Mouse 4-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden and effort over 1f out, soon outpaced, 4th of 7, 6l behind Bookiesindexdotnet (8-8) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Red Mischief (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, led narrowly over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, eased when no chance final furlong, tailed off, last of 11, 25l behind Karuga (8-13) at Windsor 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Amphora 5-1 (8-12) Led 1f, chased leader, ridden over 1f out, disputing lead inside final furlong, unable to quicken close home, lost 3rd post, 4th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Mince (8-12) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Sep.