keen, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on but not pace to challenge
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra near finish
stumbled start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden, led well inside final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
held up, pushed along over 3f out, never trouble leaders
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, led 1f out, headed well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on but not pace to challenge
held up and raced wide, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, wide and effort over 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung right and weakened over 1f out
in rear, pushed along over 3f ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on, not reach winner
Postmaster is preferred here to Over To You Bert and Mid Valley. The selection won well last time when beating Machinate at Wolverhampton. The key to his chance today is the trip as he is clearly at his best over a mile and if he an build on that recent success then he should take plenty of beating. The obvious danger is Over To You Bert who has been running consistently well for a while now but he is struggling to get his head in front and he may have to settle for a place again today. Mid Valley was disappointing over 7f last time so the step back up in trip today should see him in a better light and he is not without hope. Balerno hinted at a return to form last time and he could be worth noting in the market, but for the winner we will stick with Postmaster.
Mid Valley 7-2fav (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 7l behind Doctor's Cave (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Feb.
Danettie 9-1 (8-10) Hampered start, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Mister Benji (8-10) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Postmaster 11-2 (8-8) Held up and behind, headway on inside 2f out, not clear run briefly well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb beating Machinate (8-9) by 1l, 9 ran.
Balerno 12-1 (8-10) In touch, challenged over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Doctor's Cave (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Russian Mist (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Prominent, chased leader over 5f out until over 1f out, 10th of 11, 6l behind Spot The Subbie (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Fulvio (USA) 10-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 11, 8l behind Doctor's Cave (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Over To You Bert 4-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, led briefly 5f out, led again 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon held, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Oakbridge (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Charlottebutterfly 11-1 (8-8) Started slowly, always behind an struggling final 2f, 8th of 10, 9l behind Binnion Bay (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Useful 50-1 (8-9) Held up, always towards rear, last of 16, 23l behind Enthusius (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Princess Arwen 14-1 (9-0) Held up, switched right and headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace, 8th of 13, 4l behind Firework (9-0) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb.
Height of Spirits 6-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Weet Yer Tern (9-0) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb.
Bucharest 20-1 (8-10) Led over 4f, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 16l behind Vibrato (8-6) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
