led until over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, effort approaching final furlong, soon one pace
tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon ridden and quickened clear
tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten
This small field mile conditions race looks a two horse battle between Plum Pudding and AEROPLANE and with the latter slightly favoured by the framing of this contest we go for David Evans' horse with Beauchamp Viceroy needing to find 10lbs worth of improvement based on the official ratings to even go close. As well as being favoured in the weights the pick is also on slightly better form having only just failed off a mark of 100 in a handicap on his last appearance. He knows how to win having scored in back to back claimers in the autumn and with extra weight removed from his back by his pilot he looks the one to be with. Plum Pudding hails from a powerful yard and has been keeping better company than this over the winter. He's probably best judged on his run behind group class Alexandros at Nottingham in November with a repeat of that performance likely to have him very close. Beauchamp Viceroy looks to be running for place money at best after a solid display in listed company last time but in a race where only two have strong claims we opt for Aeroplane.
Plum Pudding (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Held up, not far away, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 6, 5l behind Tranquil Tiger (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f listed stks (1) pol in Dec.
Aeroplane 10-1 (9-0) Broke well, soon steadied to rear, smooth headway from over 1f out, effort to challenge winner inside final furlong, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Falcativ (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Beauchamp Viceroy 25-1 (9-2) Soon led, clear 7f out, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 4l behind Tranquil Tiger (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Samarinda (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 9l behind Falcativ (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Councellor (FR) 11-1 (9-2) Mid-division on outside, pushed along 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, 10th of 13, 11l behind Wellington Square (9-6) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.