tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon every chance, no extra close home
dwelt, behind, some late progress, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on under pressure
with leader, lost place over 2f out, eased final furlong
slowly away, behind, moderate late headway, never dangerous
raced keenly tracking leaders, effort when not clear run over 2f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, under pressure over 2f out, soon no impression
settled in mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led until over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up in rear, headway well over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never nearer
held up in rear, good headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, led inside final furlong, driven out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace final furlong
A tight handicap with only 6lb in the weights separating the 12 runners. There was not much between Zeffirelli and Fine Ruler at Kempton in January but the former has ran badly since, while Grey Boy's penalty looks likely to stop him following up last week's Wolverhampton win. OFFICER LILY finished a couple of lengths behind Illuminative over C&D recently but has more scope for improvement than today's rival. John Best's filly can reverse the form and open her account here. Evey P is also unexposed but has something to prove over today's trip and Miss Bounty looks a bigger threat.
Grey Boy (GER) 11-4fav (8-9) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp (0-58) (6) pol beating Barton Bounty (8-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Dilys Maud 25-1 (8-10) Dwelt, raced wide mid-division, progress to 4th over 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 6l behind Fashionable Gal (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Breezed Well (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Disputed early, 2nd after 2f, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no extra in 5th entering straight, weakened, 14th of 18, 21l behind Days Ahead (9-6) at Galway 1m 3yo hcp 50-70 gf in Jul.
Zeffirelli 13-2 (9-4) Prominent, ridden 3f out, not quicken 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 10th of 14, 10l behind West Leake (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Feb.
Illuminative (USA) 14-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, pushed along and in touch over 6f out, ridden 3f out, headway 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 10, 2l behind Clearing House (8-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Evey P (IRE) 17-2 (8-10) Dwelt, held up behind, headway on inner over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2l behind Chantilly Jewel (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Feb.
Officer Lily (USA) 11-2 (8-12) In rear, ridden 3f out, kept on, never near leaders, 8th of 10, 4l behind Clearing House (8-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Fine Ruler (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and headway when switched to outer over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Allanit (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Feb.
Tous Les Deux 20-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, not much room 2f out, soon switched right and weakened, 9th of 12, 10l behind Allanit (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Feb.
Haulit 10-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out on outer, kept on, 5th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Ymir (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Miss Bounty 10-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Clearing House (8-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 28-1 (8-3) In rear, ridden 4f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Mottley Crewe (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
