tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
led, ridden 2f out, soon pressed, driven, stayed on gamely, headed final strides
held up in rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, led final strides
keen, held up, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, stayed on gamely inside final furlong under strong pressure, just held
with leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden over 3f out, outpaced well over 1f out, rallied well inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never trouble leaders
THIEF OF TIME is given the vote here ahead of Citizenship and Kings Destiny. The selection was good value for his winning margin at Lingfield last time when he beat Capeability. He is making his turf debut this afternoon but he is a lightly-raced type and with the promise of more to come over this longer trip he is taken to score again on his handicap debut. Citizenship looks the obvious alternative as Ian Williams has his string in good form and he did finally get his head in front at Wolverhampton last time out. He has been a bit disappointing on the turf but he should be suited by this longer trip and we expect him to be thereabouts at the finish. Kings Destiny has been off the track since December but he has some very respectable form and he is another who will find this step up in trip a big plus. Headline Act is interesting as he beat Gitano Hernando at Brighton back in October and that horse gave the form a big boost by winning at Doncaster over the weekend. He does have an absence to overcome but he has to be of interest. This is a fascinating handicap and the vote is given to Thief Of Time.
Splinter Cell (USA) 11-8 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden and effort on inside over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, kept on one pace, 2nd of 3, 2l behind Akhenaten (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (3yo) (4) pol in Mar.
Takaatuf (IRE) 15-8 (9-3) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Pontefract 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sep beating Custody (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Kings Destiny 10-11fav (9-3) In touch, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Mellow Mixture (9-3) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Thief of Time (IRE) 4-5fav (8-8) Slowly into stride, behind, good headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead final strides, won at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Jan beating Capeability (8-7) by nk, 11 ran.
Wilbury Star (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Keen early, held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon beaten and eased, 7th of 8, 7l behind Badge Of Honour (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Headline Act 10-11fav (9-3) Held up in rear, headway 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden clear, won at Brighton 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct beating Gitano Hernando (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Citizenship 6-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway well over 1f out, soon switched right, led inside final furlong, ran on well, readily, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Autumn Morning (8-5) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
