close up in last place, pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, no impression
pulled hard, led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
keen tracked leaders, switched right 1f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression towards finish
A couple of these are chasing hat-tricks though collateral form leaves Kickingthelilly with much stronger claims than Homeward Strut. Rae Guest's filly scored by three lengths at Kempton last time and should be bang there at the finish again but BOOTS AND SPURS is just preferred. The latter also returned a clear winner when landing his maiden over C&D last time and, as the third-placed horse has subsequently won, the form looks rock-solid - Elaine Burke's charge can go in again here. Mr Knightley has done his winning in plating company and arrives out of sorts anyway.
Boots And Spurs 5-2 (9-3) Went left start led early, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, led over 1f out, edged left and ridden out final furlong, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Feb beating Lionrock (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mr Knightley (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Mid-division on inside, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 6l behind Bareback (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Kickingthelilly 10-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, good headway towards inside 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, soon pushed clear, ran on well, comfortably, won at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb beating Songbird Blues (8-3) by 3l, 10 ran.
Homeward Strut 5-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, led 1f out, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb beating Henry Bee (9-6) by 1/2l, 5 ran.