pulled hard, soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
reared start, slowly away, always in rear, behind final 3f
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up towards rear, tailed off when pulled up over 2f out, broke blood vessel
slowly into stride, always in rear
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
keen in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
chased leader over 4f out, ridden 3f out until approaching final furlong
mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong
keen, tracked leader until over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, in rear, headway on innner inside 2f out, soon ridden, one pace
dwelt, held up towards rear, good headway from over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
Those towards the head of the handicap appear to hold the key here. Benedetto did not receive the best judged ride last time at Haydock when given far too much to do and off the same mark here can land the finale. Amanda Perretts' horses are just showing signs of hitting form and Benedetto can reinforce that belief. Despite being weak in the market last time, Always Brave battled on tenaciously to score at large odds. Horses from the Mark Johnson yard tend to improve with racing and Always Brave appears a big danger to Benedetto. Feasible was set a stiff task to make all the running on his seasonal debut but just faded inside the final furlong. Star Pattern should be watched in the market on his handicap debut as should Distant Diamond, who contested smart maidens and rounded off last season with a win in a nursery. Benedetto is nominated to land the finale.
Always Brave 20-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, switched inside and headway 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, held on, won at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs beating Marning Star (9-2) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Feasible 14-1 (8-13) Soon led, headed narrowly 3f out, ridden and every chance entering final 2f, no extra towards finish, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Canary Islands (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Benedetto 7-2 (9-4) Held up in touch of main group, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, too much to do, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Chrystal Venture (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Excape (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Always behind, 15th of 19, 18l behind Rio de La Plata (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (2) gd in Jul.
Secret Gem (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) With leader, ridden, every chance over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 7th of 19, 3l behind La Coveta (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gd in Nov.
Distant Diamond (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) In touch, hard driven over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, ran on to lead final strides, won at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp (6) pol in Oct beating Bermacha (9-4) by a hd, 13 ran.
Gala Casino Star (IRE) 40-1 (8-5) Mid-division until weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 18l behind Ibn Khaldun (9-4) at Ascot 7f 2yo hcp (3) gs in Sept.
Nordic Commander (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (8-13) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Dhhamaan (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Nov.
Koraleva Tectona (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Awkward start, tracked leader after 1f, lost 2nd over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Magnitude (9-3) at Warwick 7f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Danamight (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 10, 17l behind Jazz Jam (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 2yo fll hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Star Pattern (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 14l behind By Command (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gs.
Sparkling Montjeu (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) Held up, headway over 2f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 4th of 10, 7l behind Badalona (9-0) at Haydock 1m 2yo mdn fll (5) sft in Sept.
Caltire (GER) 6-1 (8-10) Dwelt and towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 15l behind Duke of Touraine (8-9) at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Coole Dodger (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, pulled hard, headway over 5f out, hung right and wide from over 3f out, ran very wide entering straight, no danger after, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Carry On Cleo (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo clm (6) pol.
