led and set good pace, ridden and headed narrowly approaching 1f out, regained slight advantage inside final furlong, just held on post
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd over 3f out, soon challenging, led narrowly approaching 1f out, headed inside final furlong, every chance and just held post
tracked winner until over 3f out, outpaced from 2f out
Disappointingly just four runners line up for this claimer but they all represent stables that are in good form so it may prove to be a decent contest with Gary Moore's PRINCE CHARLEMAGNE getting the verdict to follow up his recent handicap success here over two miles with the main dangers rated as Quince and Doubnov. The Ian Williams-trained gelding won a seller here in good fashion in November and he has to be considered having run well in a handicap here last time but he has to give the selection 6lbs and he may struggle to do so successfully. Tony Carroll has his string in good form but his runner, Acropolis, will need to improve on all known form to win this and of more interest is Jeff Pearce's Quince, who has been running well in defeat of late. He has to be considered receiving 2lbs from Prince Charlemagne but Gary Moore's runner has solid claims and is hard to oppose.
Doubnov (FR) 9-2 (9-8) Led, headed over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 5, 5l behind Oxford City (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 3-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, smooth headway on outside over 3f out, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear, won at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan beating Valkyrie (8-2) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Quince (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden over 3f out, stayed on under strong pressure to go 3rd towards finish, never dangerous, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Augustus John (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Acropolis (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind Isle de Maurice (9-4) at Lingfield 2m Selling Handicap (0-60) (4yo+) (6) pol.
