pulled hard, heavily restrained to rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on, never nearer
dwelt, soon led, allowed easy lead, shaken up and soon clear approaching 1f out, unchallenged
chased winner, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on to go 4th inside final furlong, never dangerous
bumped and not much room soon after start, keen, soon in touch, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance
broke smartly, heavily restrained to rear, pulled hard after, no impression final 2f
dwelt, always in rear
Nonrunner
In a pretty decent contest for this level the vote belongs to DON PELE ahead of fellow hat-trick seeker Stonecrabstomorrow and top weight Qadar. The pick is on a three timer after following up a good win in a similar race with a narrow victory in a seller last time. Despite the fact Ron Harris' charge is now four pounds worse off than his last handicap win he has won off a mark just a pound lower than he has carried to victory in the past and he looks capable of running a big race here. Stonecrabstomorrow has some weight in hand from the selection and has a similar profile after winning a seller followed by victory in a similar contest to this at Wolverhampton. That last victory was rather handed to him on a plate after the favourite gave it away at the start but he does have a good record at the track and will be close. Qadar used to be a pretty decent racer rated in the 100s but has tumbled down the weights in the past two years. It is true he is not the horse he was but there has been signs in the last few runs some form is returning and as a result could be well handicapped. Super Frank was a winner last time over a furlong extra and it does seem he need the extra yardage while Musical Script is a consistent sort who should run his race but Don Pele has the selection.
Qadar (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden entering final 2f, driven and stayed on to take 2nd post, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Chjimes (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Super Frank (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Made all, led and set good pace, ridden and quickened well over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, driven out, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb beating Marmooq (8-13) by 2l, 11 ran.
Don Pele (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) Close up, progress on outer to lead over 1f out, soon edging left, stayed on well when pressed inside final furlong, driven out, held on well, won at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol beating Strathmore (9-0) by a hd, 7 ran.
Grand Palace (IRE) 13-2 (8-8) Broke well, soon steadied and behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous from over 1f out, last of 9, 6l behind Bahamian Lad (8-10) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Charles Darwin (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway on inside 3f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 10l behind Resplendent Alpha (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Stonecrabstomorrow (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Street Power (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Cosmic Destiny (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, no impression on leaders, 7th of 9, 4l behind Chjimes (8-10) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Lieutenant Pigeon 22-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Chjimes (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Musical Script (USA) 5-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, pulled hard, headway 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not paced to challenge inside final furlong, kept on to take 3rd final stride, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Mogok Ruby (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
