led, raced freely, headed 2f out, kept on same pace until weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out and held final furlong
held up, shaken up over 2f out, limited progress towards far side under 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, going nicely over 2f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out and ran on well
chased leaders, pushed along under 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
tracked leader, led 2f out, faced challenge over 1f out and soon headed, ridden and ran on same pace final furlong
awkward start and dwelt, in rear, niggled along and plenty to do over 2f out, headway from over 1f out, ran on into 5th closing stages
held up, pushed along and hung right over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong
Essencial has returned a beaten favourite in both starts since winning here in January and finished behind third-placed Buraback last time. Ringo Starlight is now 7lb higher than when scoring over 6f at Southwell earlier while Pluperfect is fitted with blinkers after coming up short at the latter track. A couple of these showed improvement on their handicap debuts with Streaky Bay placing at Wolverhampton but FAT GLADIATOR finished third at Kempton on his first outing since September despite failing to settle and George Baker’s charge gets the vote with a hood applied.
Eternal Glory (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened, 7th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Matty Too (8-10) at Nottingham 6f (2) gd in Sep.
Streaky Bay 33-1 (9-6) Close up, tracked leaders 5f out, led halfway, ridden and headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Sterling Knight (9-9) at Wolverhampton 7f (5) pol in Dec.
Essencial (IRE) 11-4fav (9-6) Steadied start and switched left, in rear, pushed along and hung right bend 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Golden Spice (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Buraback (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Keen raced wide close up, pushed along to chase leading pair over 1f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Golden Spice (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Ringo Starlight 9-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, not much room over 2f out, driven over 1f out, 3rd and held when not much room close home, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Gidwa (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Pluperfect 9-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, closed over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 3rd and held close home, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Shorts On (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Bondi Girl (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leader, pushed along over 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened and lost two places final 100 yards, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Imperial Mountain (9-5) at Chelmsford City 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Fat Gladiator (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Edged right start, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, almost grabbed 2nd, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Gidwa (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
