held up in touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten
started slowly, held up behind, headway on outer to chase leader 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
held up, headway to chase leaders 4f out, ridden to lead 3f out, headed narrowly 1f out, kept on pressing winner inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 4f out, outpaced and lost place 3f out, kept on final furlong, no impression on leaders
started very slowly, held up in rear, stayed on from 2f out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, led over 5f out, headed 3f out, no extra and weakened 2f out
led to over 5f out, stayed prominent until weakened over 2f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
steadied start, held up in rear, good headway over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd entering final furlong, not troubled leading pair
steadied start, held up, lost touch over 3f out, tailed off
tracked leader on inside, effort 2f out, not paced to challenge over 1f out, one pace
Ben Bacchus looks high enough in the handicap now so it is no surprise to see him dropped into selling grade, however two horses that stand out are Tashkandi and BRIDGEWATER BOYS and it is the last-named who is nominated. One of three course and distance winners in the line-up, the selection is perhaps not the most straightforward of individuals but he is very effective in selling and claiming company. His last win was over ten furlongs here in December and he is fancied to carry his penalty to victory today. Tashkandi is the best-treated in the line-up as he receives 5lb from the selection; he is also blinkered but he has been sliding down the weights over the last twelve months and looks totally out of love with the game. Augustus John is consistent but has continued to find one too good on recent starts, so a bigger threat could be Turner's Touch who represents a canny trainer who used to saddle Bridgewater Boys. He should know where he stands there but his horse has a lot to find on official ratings and so we will stick with Bridgewater Boys to win it.
Ben Bacchus (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Prominent, chased leader after 3f until over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Monaadi (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Bridgewater Boys 10-3 (9-0) Very slowly away, in rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 6l behind Media Stars (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f clm (6) pol.
Augustus John (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Keen, close up, lost place over 8f out, headway to lead over 3f out, headed 2f out, soon ridden, rallied towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind William's Way (10-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Competitor 33-1 (9-0) Chased winner, ridden to challenge 2f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 10, 8l behind Clear Sailing (9-6) at Great Leighs 1m 2f sll (5) pol in Jan.
Shouldntbethere (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Chased leader until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 11l behind Rapid City (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Starstruck Peter (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Led 2f, tracked leader after, led again over 3f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, eased towards finish, 8th of 14, 5l behind Sir Liam (9-5) at Lingfield 2m sll hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Tashkandi (IRE) 22-1 (9-1) Prominent, effort over 4f out, soon behind, last of 7, well behind Rawdon (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs.
Turner's Touch 8-1 (10-2) In rear, headway from 3f out, went 3rd from over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 5l behind William's Way (10-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Stroppi Poppi 66-1 (8-4) Keen, led after 2f, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 30l behind Ryan's Future (8-9) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Apr.
Poppy Red 10-1 (8-1) Tracked leader, lost place over 3f out, 12th of 13, 26l behind Ben Bacchus (8-6) at Kempton 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (6) pol in Jan.
Maddy 10-1 (8-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, kept on, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 3l behind Bombardier Wells (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) std.
