keen, held up in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden, ran on to lead inside final furlong
dwelt, keen, held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
raced wide, keen, tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken near finish
slowly into stride, keen and held up in rear, kept on never nearer
led, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
pulled hard, held up in touch, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f
Piano Player gets the narrow vote in this handicap with Welsh Dragon and Ellesappelle rating the main dangers. The selection won his maiden in good style last time out when beating Bally Beg. He enters handicaps off what looks a fair mark and with the step up in trip likely to bring about more improvement he looks the one to be on. Welsh Dragon rates the main danger but he was behind the selection last time and although he is slightly better off at the weights it is slightly disconcerting that his connections are already trying cheek pieces and for that reason he is opposed. Ellesappelle is another worthy of respect on his best form but he may just need the run after a 168 day absence. The remainder look fairly exposed and for the winner we return to Piano Player.
Bollywood (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Led, ridden and inched right over 1f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 7th of 9, 7l behind African Concerto (8-10) at Lingfield 7f 3yo clm (6) pol in Mar.
Piano Player (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) Prominent, hard driven final furlong, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Mar beating Ballybeg (9-0) by a hd, 11 ran.
Ellesappelle 22-1 (7-10) Slowly into stride, chasing leaders after 2f, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 17, 21l behind Il Castagno (8-4) at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Pep In Her Step (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Led, strongly pressed and headed over 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 10th of 16, 14l behind Chenchikova (9-0) at Tipperary 7f 2yo mdn fll gs in Sept.
Grand Sefton 66-1 (8-9) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Hallandale (8-4) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) fbs in Oct.
Welsh Dragon 4-1fav (8-11) Led, hard pressed from over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside last, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Ballybeg (9-2) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Mr Cheers 6-1 (9-4) Soon behind, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 22l behind Tour d'Amour (8-13) at Southwell 7f 3yo sll (6) fbs in Mar.
Flashing Floozie 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 13, 5l behind Miss Dagger (8-6) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Mar.