tracked leaders, not clear run on inside over 1f out, still denied clear run inside final furlong, unlucky
took keen hold, tracked leader, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
steadied start, settled in rear, headway to chase leaders 7f out, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, stayed on again final furlong
held up 5th, ridden 2f out, headway 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to dead heat for 2nd post
took keen hold, held up 4th, dropped to rear 7f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reached leaders
Baizically's mark of 85 looks a tad optimistic and he is passed over today in favour of Chicken Soup, with Tufton and Mataram two others with claims. Tim Pitt's charge wasn't disgraced in a Listed contest last time out and should be more at home over today's longer trip. His hold-up style of running means that he will need luck in running in order to get the gaps at the right time, however he looks the value call in an open contest. Tufton pulled too hard when returning from a lengthy break last month and warrants plenty of respect for his young up-and-coming trainer, whilst Mataram is consistent and was only beaten a couple of lengths in a muddling contest last time out. Baizically looks like he needs some help from the handicapper, whilst Weightless takes a marked drop in class and cannot be discounted. Tous Les Deux completes the field but is hit and miss so cannot be put forward with any confidence, and therefore we will return to Tim Pitt's Chicken Soup as the selection.
Tufton 16-1 (8-10) Steadied start, took keen hold in mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace, 10th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Wavertree Warrior (8-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Chicken Soup 11-2 (9-3) Hampered soon after start, prominent, went 2nd over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Border Music (9-3) at W'hampton 7f lst stk (1) pol.
Weightless 33-1 (9-0) Prominent, chased leaders 3f out, soon ridden, no extra 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 9l behind Gentleman's Deal (9-0) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol in Feb.
Baizically (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Dichoh (8-9) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Mataram (USA) 11-4fav (9-3) Held up, headway to lead just over 2f out, headed and no extra 1f out, 7th of 14, 2l behind Art Modern (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Tous Les Deux 22-1 (8-1) Slowly away, always behind, last of 12, 14l behind Watamu (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.