chased leaders, under pressure halfway, rallied over 1f out, stayed on well, never reached winner
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well
pulled hard in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, effort over 2f out, never on terms
held up in rear, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, never able to challenge
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, not pace to challenge
led, hard ridden and headed over 1f out, faded final furlong
prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
always in rear
THE BAY BANDIT has returned to action an improved performer and scored over 7f here last time. He may be capable of better still for John Butler and is just preferred to Diplomatic. The latter has been in fine form over 7f of late but today's distance is the worry for him, while Karate and Having A Ball have both been well beaten since scoring over C&D on their penultimate starts. Teen Ager is usually thereabouts in this grade without winning and can make the frame again.
Diplomatic (IRE) 13-8fav (9-7) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd final 50 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Spin Again (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Saucy Buck (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase leaders inside final furlong, no impression, 5th of 12, 4l behind Toymaker (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Karate (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 8l behind Rezwaan (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Merito 11-1 (9-6) Led stand side and overal leader, headed by stand side group over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 14, 31l behind Dixie Gwalia (8-10) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Oct.
Having A Ball 14-1 (8-9) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind Zaheeb (8-13) at Kempton 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Monsieur Broughton 6-1 (9-3) Mid-division, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, no extra when not much room towards finish, 7th of 12, 5l behind Toymaker (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
The Which Doctor 16-1 (8-13) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 11l behind Red Somerset (9-4) at Lingfield 1m sell stks (6) pol.
The Bay Bandit 4-5fav (8-11) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, soon pressing leader, stayed on under pressure to lead post, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-55) (6) pol beating Huzzah (9-2) by shd, 11 ran.
Kucharova (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, 5th of 8, 8l behind Kipchak (9-5) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Teen Ager (FR) 5-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Holyfield Warrior (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Gambatte 8-1 (8-12) Dwelt, in rear, effort over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 5l behind Holyfield Warrior (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Sergeant Troy (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Always in rear, weakened over 3f out, last of 7, 26l behind Brunello (8-13) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.