tracked leaders, ridden and no impression over 1f out until stayed on under strong pressure and hung left inside final furlong, snatched 3rd close home
held up, pushed along over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2f out
held up in touch, improved 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, effort on inside over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
keen, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra towards finish
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression
SAINTS BAY needs to defy joint top weight status to land this, but is capable of doing so, with the chief rivals expected to be Private Passion and Miss Tikitiboo. Richard Hannon's filly is making her handicap debut, and was placed here in her last couple of runs here last month. It's a return to this trip, which looks a positive, and although not looking as quick a type as successful half-sisters, this sort of contest should be within reach. Miss Tikitiboo is the other joint top weight, and a drop in trip from a mile looks to be a positive for Ed Vaughan's runner. Private Passion steps up in a trip which also seems a positive, given that he was slowly away last time but still made the frame, and he's been decently treated by the handicapper. Previously a winner at Kempton, he looks to have another win within him. It's a trappy little heat though, and our marginal preference is for Saints Bay.
Miss Tikitiboo (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Ageebah (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Saints Bay (IRE) 3-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Waterloo Dock (9-10) at Lingfield 6f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Feb.
Bold Ring 11-2 (8-12) Soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 11, 16l behind Tillers Satisfied (8-12) at W'hampton 6f 2yo sll (6) pol in Dec.
Daily Double 8-1 (9-1) Dwelt, pulled hard in rear, outpaced over 2f out, headway and switched left inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Sarasota Sunshine (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Private Passion (IRE) 9-4 (9-1) Dwelt, soon pushed along and headway, left in lead over 5f out, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Josiah Bartlett (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Green Agenda 66-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f, weakened over 1f, 12th of 15, 14l behind Roman Republic (9-0) at Doncaster 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Sunshine Ellie 10-1 (8-12) Held up and raced wide in to straight, never on terms, 6th of 8, 7l behind La Capriosa (9-3) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
Pedregal 9-1 (8-8) Towards rear, outpaced over 3f out, kept on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Esprit de Midas (9-4) at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Buckle Up 12-1 (8-5) Pulled hard, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 9, 3l behind Private Passion (8-8) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Feb.