held up in last place, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
in touch, hampered bend well over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, effort 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
inrear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, driven and kept on past beaten horses inside final furlong
in rear, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, edged left bend well over 2f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led and soon clear, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
raced wide intouch, headway and switched inside over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong
CALYPSO STAR just gets the vote from Capricornus and Larkrise Star in what should be another cracking race. Richard Hannon's charge has improved since entering handicap company with consecutive second placed finishes, for which he's unfortunately been raised 4lbs by the assessor. That of course makes life tougher for this colt on what will be his sixth start, but with improvement possible and the yard in fine form he's awarded the vote off a nice racing weight. It could be a good night for Mark Johnston and his Capricornus has real claims here, despite having disappointed last time. That was at Wolverhampton over seven furlongs and he should be much more at home under today's conditions as he is bred to stay a mile and more. In addition, the race in which he was second to Admiral Cochrane has worked out well, so there might be some room for manouevre off this mark of 74. Larkrise Star is another to consider following a good second last time when pulling clear of the remainder over course and distance. Dean Ivory's filly has progressed with racing and should enjoy these conditions, so she's just preferred over handicap debutant Rainbow Six who surely wants further than this. Slikback Jack won nicely enough on debut in a race that has produced winners but this looks no easier than the race in which he was fourth last time, Ana Moutabahi returns to the scene of his sole triumph but looks handicapped out of winning and Sheer Force will do well to defy top weight and an absence. This London Mile Qualifier can go to Richard Hannon's Calypso Star under what should prove to be ideal conditions.
Sheer Force (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders and carried right inside final furlong, kept on well, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Verdant (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Oct.
Capricornus (USA) 4-6fav (8-12) Chased winner, hung left over 1f out, soon ridden and weakened final 1f, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Cuthbert (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Joe Packet 17-2 (8-6) Took keen hold, chased leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Marcus Cicero (8-12) at Newbury 6f 2yo hcp (3) gf in Sep.
Slikback Jack (IRE) 22-1 (8-9) Behind, headway over 3f out, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Edinburgh Knight (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Al Khimiya (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Pulled hard in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 10, 7l behind Dream On Buddy (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Rainbow Six 22-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on, never able to challenge, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Fighter Boy (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol.
Larkrise Star 9-1 (8-9) Chased leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Tafawut (8-9) at Kempton 1m mdn fll (5) pol.
Electric City (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, under pressure halfway, soon beaten, last of 11, 24l behind Edinburgh Knight (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Calypso Star (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, ran on final strides, just failed, 2nd of 11, hd behind Comradeship (9-7) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Ana Moutabahi 16-1 (8-9) Led, ridden and headed just over 2f out, soon outpaced and beaten, last of 4, 7l behind Rock A Doodle Doo (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
