slowly into stride, always in rear, ridden 3f out
held up, headway to track leader after 2f, led halfway, hung left bend 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, headed halfway, tracked leader, pressing for lead when hung badly left bend 2f out, headway to challenge winner entering final furlong, soon every chance, ridden and kept on same pace
keen in touch in rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway on inside to challenge over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader 2f, tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, headway to lead over 1f out, found extra when pressed inside final furlong, ran on gamely
The newcomer Plus Fours is worth a second glance in the betting but, with the exception of Minstrel Lad, this looks pretty competitive. Cockney Sparrow finished third at Lingfield on her recent debut though the form hasn't worked out, while Red Shuttle is not certain to appreciate today's shorter trip having been placed over 1m4f in three starts on Polytrack. Beau Duke's second at Chepstow in September entitles him to consideration on his reappearance, but SANTADELACRUZE wasn't beaten far in handicap company when runner-up at Lingfield last time and gets the vote to go one better.
Minstrel Lad 100-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 5f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 13, 26l behind Formal Demand (9-3) at Southwell 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Jun.
Red Shuttle 11-2 (9-6) Held up, headway on outer to lead over 4f out, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Broughton Sands (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Beau Duke (IRE) 15-8fav (8-11) Led, strongly pressed from 2f out, ridden and narrowly headed 1f out, stayed pressing winner and edged right, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Titus Star (8-9) at Chepstow 1m 2yo mdn aut (6) gd in Sep.
Plus Fours (USA) Mizzen Mast gelding out of Quick To Please.
Santadelacruze 7-2 (9-0) In touch, pushed along 3f out, headway entering final furlong, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd post, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Sheila's Buddy (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Cockney Sparrow 8-1 (8-6) Soon led, set steady pace, ridden 2f out, headed and kept on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Hikma (8-6) at Lingfield 1m mdn fll (5) pol.