held up, good headway to lead narrowly over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong until headed final stride
held up behind, good headway 2f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong to lead final stride
held up rear, headway 2f out, denied clear run over 1f out, switched left and right, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led until headed over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden and joined over 1f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong
held up behind, ridden over 4f out, soon lost place and beaten
always in rear, never a factor
prominent, ridden over 2f out, not pace of challenger, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, never near leaders
close up, chased leader over 2f out, disputed lead over 1f out, every chance and soon headed, kept on one pace final furlong
Paso Doble, Barton Sands and Competitor are the three for the shortlist here in a tricky contest, and Competitor may prove too tough for his rivals. The nine-year-old Barton Sands is a course and distance winner, and won here in January. He has run respectably since without winning, but was a close fourth in a handicap last time and this represents a drop in grade. He should be thereabouts. Competitor was a convincing scorer on his last drop into selling class, although that was over another two furlongs. He has since finished third in a claimer and he will be hard to beat. Paso Doble is well treated at the weights but his recent efforts in similar grade suggest he may have to wait a little longer before adding to his two Southwell successes at the end of last year. Competitor is in good heart and can win again now he is back in selling company.
Barton Sands (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Held up mid-division, lost place over 3f out, plenty to do 1f out, ran on strongly, gaining near finish, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Bavarica (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Competitor 8-1 (9-0) In touch, chased leader approaching 3f out until inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Zalkani (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol.
Paso Doble 15-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden, outpaced over 3f out, kept on again final furlong, 4th of 12, 5l behind Christmas Truce (8-13) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol.
Bhutan (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, improved 4f out, ridden, kept on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Competitor (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Mar.
Danish Monarch 8-1 (8-11) Chased winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 20l behind Indian Edge (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
Garple Burn 20-1 (8-13) Mid-divison, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly, last of 12, well behind Ice And Fire (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 6f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
Tally (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Soon behind, 10th of 12, 9l behind Elms Schoolboy (8-11) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
Piquet 40-1 (8-4) Led after 1f, headed 4f out, weakened quickly 4f out, last of 7, well behind Shaunas Vision (9-0) at Folkestone 1m 4f fll hcp (5) sft in Mar.
