tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always behind, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, eased over 1f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and held towards finish
made all, ridden over 1f out, held on well
in touch and keen, ridden over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, held towards finish
Rotherwick hasn't won since 2014 but is still higher in the weights due to his consistency. Ski Blast hasn't run for almost exactly a year so is likely to need this while Art Echo is up 4lb for winning a lesser-grade handicap at Doncaster. Naval Warfare was sent to Ayr in September for a 7f maiden and duly obliged though that was on ground with some give so the vote goes to SABADOR (NAP). Ed Walker's grey reappeared at Kempton in March and landed a maiden in taking style, suggesting he could be better than a 79-rated handicapper.
Rotherwick (IRE) 9-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on well to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Wadigor (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Ski Blast 12-1 (8-10) In rear, headway 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Get Knotted (9-7) at Thirsk 1m hcp (4) gf in May.
Art Echo 9-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, all out, won at Doncaster 7f hcp (5) gf in Apr beating Dark Forest (9-6) by 1l, 12 ran.
Naval Warfare (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Ayr 7f mdn stks (4) gs in Sep beating Saint Equiano (9-5) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Sabador (FR) 9-2 (8-11) Held up mid-division, took keen hold, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Wonderfillo (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.