raced wide, with leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
keen, raced wide, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, headway from 2f out, ran on to lead close home
held up, towards rear, ridden and headway on outer from over 1f out, not reach leaders
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along halfway, behind over 3f out
made most, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
close-up, chased leader 2f out, ridden and every chance when hung left from over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
with leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, soon eased
held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, effort on inside entering final furlong, unable to quicken near finish
A handful of these come into the race with claims, so only a tentative vote goes to Melvino, who is expected to just confirm his superiority over Grezie and Jostle if he is granted a clear passage this afternoon. Best Game is another that merits a second look in the betting as he gets in off a featherweight and does not have much to find to get competitive today. Grezie and Jostle were well held by the selection when they met here last month and there is unlikely to be much between them again today. However, the former is 2lb better off this afternoon and she may be able to reverse the placings in that personal battle. Even so, the Mark Of Esteem filly will still have a little to find with Melvino if they all run up to their best and, considering that the David Barron team have been back amongst the winners recently, we expect his charge to come out on top again today.
Melvino 13-2 Held up in rear, driven and headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Wiltshire at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (E3) pol in Feb.
Chief Dipper 8-1 Held up and behind, switched right and headway over 2f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (E3) pol in Feb beating Lady Hen by 1l, 10 ran.
Birthday Star (IRE) 20-1 Slowly into stride, in rear, stayed on from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 9l behind Pianoforte at W'hampton 7f 3yo mdn (D3) pol in Jan.
Miss Tolerance (USA) 16-1 Held up in touch to 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 10l behind Vista Bella at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (D3) pol in Feb.
Jostle 4-1jt-fav Slowly away, held up last, headway on outer over 1f out, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 1l behind Selma at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (E3) pol in Feb.
Grezie 16-1 In touch, hard ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 5l behind Wiltshire at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (E3) pol in Feb.
Swift Dame (IRE) 25-1 In touch for 2f, 7th of 12, 8l behind Cesar Manrique at Bath 5f 2yo mdn (D3) sft in Oct.
Best Game 3-1fav In touch, driven along after 3f, not clear run briefly on inside just over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Bellalou at Lingfield 1m 2yo sll (G4) pol in Nov.
