raced keenly in mid-division, headway to lead just over 1f out, ran on well, pushed out
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, not quicken, weakened final furlong
led and set a steady pace, headed over 2f out, kept on until weakened 1f out
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, kept on well for 2nd
started slowly, always in rear group, never a factor
took keen hold, held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
started slowly, always in rear group, ridden over 2f out and never dangerous final 2f
in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up rear, headway on inside 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, no extra, one pace final furlong
Dushstorm is selected ahead of Not Now Lewis and Victor Trumper. The seven year old has found his grade in this country having won regularly in Italy. He hasn't done anything wrong of late and it would be churlish to avoid him as a consequence. Not Now Lewis won two handicaps over course-and-distance but will face sterner opposition this evening. Victor Trumper makes a debut for Jim Best having left the care of Peter Chapple-Hyam. He had some solid form a couple of years back and is one to watch in the market. Apache Dawn is tried in this grade as he looks to have been given little peace by the handicapper. Cactus King appears to be in a similar predicament. A difficult affair given we have in form horses of modest ability and out of form horses with some and Dushstorm is the selection.
Cactus King 14-1 (9-4) Keen, mid-division, effort 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 7, 16l behind Mafeking (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Bed Fellow (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Tracked winner to over 4f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Fregate Island (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Feb.
Victor Trumper 40-1 (8-12) Reminders start, in rear, driven over 5f out, lost touch over 3f out, last of 8, 42l behind Will He Wish (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Apache Dawn 20-1 (9-1) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 8l behind Dudley Docker (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Barry Island 14-1 (8-8) Always behind, 6th of 9, 8l behind Safari Sundowner (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcap (5) pol in Feb.
Not Now Lewis (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Dinner Date (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Shouldntbethere (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Without Excuse (9-3) at Kempton 1m app clm (5) pol in Feb.
Dushstorm (IRE) 4-5fav (9-2) Close up, chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on, won at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol in Feb beating The Jailer (9-0) by 2l, 3 ran.
Film Queen (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 11, 12l behind Maslaha (8-9) at Lingfield 7f mdn fll (5) pol.