mid-division, headway over 2f out, never nearer
held up towards rear, weakened and lost place 2f out
held up in rear, ridden halfway, soon no impression
made all, quickened well over 1f out, stayed on well
slowly away, behind, headway over 1f out, ran on well, not reached winner
slowly away, headway approaching 3f out, soon one pace
chased leader, under pressure halfway, weakened approaching 5f
always behind
held up in rear, never a factor
held up in touch, some headway halfway, soon beaten
held up towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace
Withdrawn
FLIPANDO can land the feature with Wasp and Baylini likely to represent the most obvious opposition. The gelding is entirely suited to Jamie Spencer's style of riding and prevailed under hold-up tactics at Great Leighs. With this track more conducive to come from behind performers, there could be more to come. Wasp was campaigned in conditions stakes last time out. That may have been a bridge too far but he seems an ultra-consistent sort. Baylini drops back in trip having raced over 1m2f in the main. Southandwest can make the odd tardy start though kept on well to chase Capricorn Run in a similar contest. Kayak and Opus Maximus are both capable of making the early running. Bazergan exhibited improved form when third in a handicap at the course in October 2008. A tongue-tie is applied for the first time and the market must be watched after such an absence. Abbondanza is a surprise entrant in this contest and is arguably much better around Wolverhampton these days. Red Somerset and Internationaldebut are previous course-and-distance scorers. Flipando gets the vote.
Red Somerset (USA) 5-1 (8-9) Raced wide close up, effort 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 4l behind Titan Triumph (8-10) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Internationaldebut (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Al Muheer (9-0) at Lingfield 1m stk (3) pol in Feb.
Bazergan (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, headway under pressure well over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, one pace when hung left near finish, 3rd of 11, 1l behind The Which Doctor (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Abbondanza (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Soon led, ridden 3f out, hung right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Mahadee (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (2) pol in Jan.
Flipando (IRE) 15-8fav (8-13) Behind, headway over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, every chance over 1f out, edged left and led close home, won at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec beating Red Somerset (8-5) by a nk, 10 ran.
Wasp (AUS) 6-1 (9-0) Chased winner until inside final furlong, ridden and weakened near finish, 5th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Al Muheer (9-0) at Lingfield 1m stk (3) pol in Feb.
Southandwest (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Slowly away in rear, ridden 2f out, headway on inside entering final furlong, soon went 3rd, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Capricorn Run (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Baylini 7-1 (8-6) Held up in last place, ridden over 2f out, ran to take 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Formation (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 7-1 (8-6) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 4l behind Titan Triumph (8-10) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Art Man 4-1 (9-4) Started slowly, held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, slightly outpaced over 1f out, kept on again inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 6th of 9, 4l behind Den's Gift (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Lord Theo 10-1 (9-2) Soon led, headed over 8f out, stayed tracking leader, pressed leader and every chance over 1f out, no extra, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 6l behind My Shadow (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Kayak (SAF) 15-2 (8-4) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on until, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 3l behind Red Somerset (8-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.