last to break, held up and behind, headway into 3rd over 7f out, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out
chased leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, lost 2nd last stride
raced in 3rd until over 7f out, outpaced over 2f out, soon not much room briefly, no impression
led, headed over 2f out, soon hampered, stayed on same pace
held up, switched right and headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd last stride
BATTLE OF MARATHON is the one to beat in this having already won over course and distance on a couple of occasions this year including last week’s outing in an apprentices’ race. He escapes a penalty for that success and John Ryan’s charge can go in again. Jamaican Jill won here last month but came up short off today’s higher mark last time. She’s still preferred to Blowing Dixie, who is best on the Fibresand at Southwell and returned a losing favourite at the latter track recently while the remaining pair are even harder to recommend.
Battle Of Marathon (USA) 5-2fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, drew clear over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, readily, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Renardeau (9-2) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Blowing Dixie 4-6fav (9-3) Dwelt, soon tracking leaders on inside, led inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, headed and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Calling The Wind (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Fleeting Visit 4-1 (12-0) In touch, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, soon chased winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Polished Rock (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Jamaican Jill 9-2 (10-5) Raced keenly and soon led, went well clear 8f out, reduced lead over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, chased winner, well held when weakened into 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Queen Constantine (10-3) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp fll (5) pol in Jan.
Cry Wolf 9-1 (9-6) Led 2f, held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 8th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Olympic Conqueror (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Feb.