keen early, held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon beaten and eased
tracked winner, ridden to lead narrowly approaching final furlong, soon edged right, edged left and headed near finish
dwelt, keen, held up mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, ran on final furlong, short of room final strides and snatched up
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
steadied start, keen, held up in last place, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
set steady pace, quickened 3f out, headed approaching final furlong, ridden and went right, driven and rallied to lead and went left towards finish
in touch, ridden over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, unbale to quicken towards finish
A competitive little race this where we opt for BADGE OF HONOUR ahead of hat-trick seeking Dubai Storming and bottom weight High Cross but this is by no means just between those three. Mark Johnson's yard has been in excellent form all winter on the polytracks and the selection has been part of that success scoring with a bit spare last time. He still looked a bit green when under pressure and we can expect improvement with that experience to call on and his mark looks fair on his handicap debut. Dubai Storming makes his second handicap appearance after landing one last time which was preceded by victory in a warm looking maiden. Although he will improve again his rise in rating will demand more and the selection looks better off this time. High Cross could take advantage of bottom weight and was an easy winner in a similar race last time. He looks to have plenty to find on the other main protagonists and his six pound mark rise won't make life easy. Tinshu looks weighted to be competitive having finished ahead of an animal now rated in the mid eighties last time while in contrast Gaily Noble could be over rated despite an easy victory on his last appearance. Plenty in with chances here with Badge Of Honour looking the best.
Wilbury Star (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) In touch, lost place over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Worth A King's (8-1) at Great Leighs 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Gaily Noble (IRE) 4-9fav (8-7) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, eased before finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb beating Sullenberger (8-8) by 5l, 4 ran.
Dubai Storming 11-4jt-fav (9-4) Held up, good headway on inside well over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol beating Sounds of Jupiter (8-13) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Tinshu (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Led 1f, keen, tracked leader after, ridden and hung left, soon led over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Doncosaque (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Orsippus (USA) 6-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 6l behind Lord Chancellor (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Blue Tango (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden 2f out, no impression, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Doncosaque (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Badge of Honour 8-11fav (8-7) Pressed leader, led over 6f out, 3 lengths clear over 2f out, swished tail and hung left 1f out, ridden and wandered right, in command final furlong, held on well, pushed out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Feb beating Ca.
High Cross (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol beating Duke of Normandy (9-6) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
