chased leaders on outside, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders on inside, switched right over 1f out, soon 2nd, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish
chased leader until over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, plugged on
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon lost 2nd, weakened final 100 yards
slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, no headway when switched left to inside over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in last trio, headway and switched right over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led near finish
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, no threat after
slightly hampered after start, held up in last pair, pushed along on outside halfway, weakened over 2f out
Most of these are closely matched on these terms but STRATEGIC HEIGHTS won a handicap at Kempton on his penultimate start and finished well ahead of Alkashaaf when fourth here last time. Newstead Abbey beat Swendab when scoring over 5f at Wolverhampton recently and has won over today’s trip in the past while Impart drops in class having plummeted down the weights since last year’s success at Ripon. Mishaal remains out of form and the remaining pair have a tough task.
Swendab (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders on inner, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway entering final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Newstead Abbey (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Newstead Abbey 11-4fav (9-5) Close up, headway entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Mar beating Swendab (9-7) by 1l, 7 ran.
Strategic Heights (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 2l behind Red Tycoon (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Impart 10-1 (9-7) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 10, 2 1/2l behind It Must Be Faith (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Alkashaaf (USA) 20-1 (9-8) Always in rear, last of 9, 9 1/4l behind Red Tycoon (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Mishaal (IRE) 15-2 (9-6) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, last of 7, 15 3/4l behind Ballymore Castle (9-5) at Newcastle 6f stks (6) pol in Mar.
Chip Or Pellet 10-1 (8-9) Dwelt in rear, pushed along halfway, never a factor, 7th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Evening Starlight (9-7) at Lingfield 5f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Monarch Maid 9-2fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind La Fortuna (9-0) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (6) pol in Mar.