steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and outpaced 2f out, never dangerous
held up behind mid-division, ridden 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden to challenge and pressed winner 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held towards finish
in touch, pressed leader and led 1f out, pushed out and held on well towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, pressed and headed 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
behind, no impression over 1f out, kept on towards finish, never nearer
tracked leader to 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear, struggling final 2f
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 2f out, weakened quickly
Blue Charm, Ugenius and BALATA all come here in good form and narrow preference is for the last-named. The selection has finally got a win under his belt, having score at the track last time on his 13th try. Back in handicap company on this unchanged mark of 65, the hope is that this three-year-old son of Averti can now progress. Maid Of Ailsa is less exposed and wasn't beaten far last time; a step up in trip today may bring about more improvement. Double Valentine has lots of experience and the return to a longer trip will see him run well, although he can throw in the odd stinker. Ugenius beat Jojesse last time at Southwell and whilst he is better on that surface, he has run well here before. Blue Charm is consistent but is now rated 67, five pounds above his highest winning mark. Blinkers may improve Landucci whose recent runs have been average, but in a tricky finale it is Balata who can win again.
Pha Mai Blue 14-1 (9-2) Always in rear, 11th of 12, 9l behind I Confess (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Landucci 18-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 26l behind Titan Triumph (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Blue Charm 11-4fav (9-1) Close up, effort over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, soon ridden and kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind The Cayterers (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Balata 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, quickened to lead just over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, readily, won at Kempton 7f mdn aut stk (5) pol beating King's Colour (9-3) by 2l, 14 ran.
Alqaahir (USA) 10-1 (8-5) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ran on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1l behind To Be Or Not To Be (8-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) std.
Ugenius 7-1 (9-1) In rear, headway over 2f, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Jojesse (8-4) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Double Valentine 6-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Fantasy Fighter (8-8) at Great Leighs 6f app hcp (6) pol.
Maid of Ailsa (USA) 3-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon close up towards inside, ridden over 2f out, chased leaders final furlong, ran on to take 2nd near finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Billy Hot Rocks (9-3) at Kempton 6f mdn stk (5) pol.
Tilsworth Charlie 33-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 6l behind Star Strider (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Certifiable 25-1 (8-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no progress, 8th of 12, 7l behind Not Now Lewis (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
