chased leader until weakened approaching final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased winner until just inside final furlong, no extra final 100 yards
took keen hold, in touch, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
always behind
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, led over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, driven to hold on near finish
in touch, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on to chase winner just inside final furlong, always held
held up in rear, no real final 2f
in touch, ridden on outside 3f out, soon behind
Rapid City can stop Lopinot from recording a four-timer, while King Of Argos and Councellor may be in the shake-up as well. Rapid City has not been out of the first two since coming over from France, gaining successes at Wolverhampton and Lingfield, and as he is now fully proven on a Polytrack surface, should continue to pay to follow before the handicapper gets to the bottom of him. Lopinot was only beaten a length by Ektimaal here in January, and has proved the merit of that form, winning his next three races, so he has to be very much on the short-list as well. King Of Argos tended to hang under pressure on his last few starts, and a visor did not make much difference at Wolverhampton in December. It will be interesting to see how he shapes up on this right-handed track, while Councellor can take a keen hold and needs to be produced at just the right time. Rapid City is the selection.
Rebellious Spirit 11-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 6l behind Ektimaal (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Rapid City 10-11fav (8-12) Held up, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Mighty (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
King of Argos 7-2 (9-1) Pulled hard, chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon hung left, headed close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Daring Affair (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
King's Majesty (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Held up, headway when edged left over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 30, 8l behind Blythe Knight (8-10) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) sft in Mar '06.
Lopinot (IRE) 7-4fav (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, driven to lead over 1f out, edged left, ran on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Fann (8-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Councellor (FR) 13-2 (9-1) In touch, keen hold, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 9th of 13, 4 1/2l behind His Master's Voice (8-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Electric Warrior (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Mid-division, one pace final 2f, no impression, 4th of 10, 13l behind Shumookh (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Paraguay (USA) 20-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Lopinot (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Hypnotic 33-1 (8-9) Held up, headway on outside 5f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 19l behind Ektimaal (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.