held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway on outer over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on well
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong
held up mid-division and keen, ridden and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 4th towards finish
tracked leaders on outer, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression
This looks a hot handicap for the time of year with Byroness chasing a hat-trick after a couple of wins here already this term. Intrigo has also won his last two and is still at the right end of the handicap while Excuse To Linger is capable of further improvement this season. Complexity and Plunder are lightly-raced and Kimberella missed the break on his reappearance at Doncaster and should do better here. BRIGHT STRIKE had little to beat at Lingfield last month but that will have blown away a few cobwebs and he had some decent form in maidens on Turf last year. We'll take him to defy top weight as Nenge Mboko and Isis Blue are more exposed than most.
Bright Strike (USA) 1-8fav (9-5) Keen led early, tracked leader until led again halfway, shaken up over 1f out, soon in command, eased near finish, comfortable, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Severiano (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Kimberella 9-2 (8-13) Slowly away behind, never on terms, 8th of 9, 21l behind Annunciation (9-7) at Doncaster 6f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Mar.
Complexity 14-1 (8-11) Soon led, driven and headed 2f out, behind final furlong, last of 8, 23l behind Top Notch Tonto (9-4) at Ayr 1m 2yo hcp (2) hvy in Sep.
Excuse To Linger 8-11fav (9-3) With leader, led inside final furlong, soon ridden, kept on well towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Sep beating Layla's Oasis (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Plunder 8-1 (9-5) Led, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind El Buen Turista (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2yo nov stks (5) pol in Dec.
Nenge Mboko 4-6fav (9-3) Led early, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov beating Midnight Dream (8-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Byroness 13-8fav (8-13) Keen early, tracked leaders on inside, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Kempton 7f fll hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Tiger's Home (8-9) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Intrigo 2-1fav (9-5) Dwelt keen early close up, headway on outer 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed along and ran on, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Lionheart (9-5) by 1l, 7 ran.
Isis Blue 9-2 (8-7) Keen tracked winner until ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Flashlight (9-7) at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) fbs.
