in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide, held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never nearer
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, soon prominent, edged right over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish
in rear, ridden 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on near finish
close up, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, soon edged left, headed and no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and bumped over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, pulled hard towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish
chased leaders, shifted right over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace
Ninth House bids for his fifth win in a row but up 11lb for his recent win may just make him vulnerable against some very consistent rivals, most notably our selection Highland Harvest and Dichoh. Highland Harvest appears progressive and a fast pace seems assured here, something which he failed to get in a muddling contest last time out. He has the beating of Ninth House judged on their clash at Lingfield in January. Dichoh hails from a very shrewd yard and should the market speak in his favour, punters should take note. Jamie Spencer is a noteworthy booking but he is an in-and-out performer. Ninth House has been revitalized in recent times but faces a stiff task at the weights. Highland Harvest is our pick to land the finale.
Ninth House (USA) 3-1fav (8-10) Mid-division, good headway to lead over 1f out, soon clear, easily, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Bobski (8-13) by 5l, 12 ran.
Apache Dawn 5-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, unable to challenge and weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 5l behind Super Frank (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Bee Stinger 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Scamperdale (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Twilight Star (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) Very slowly away, held up in rear, smooth headway to lead over 2f out, kept on well, won at Pontefract 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in Jul beating Meynell (8-12) by 2l, 5 ran.
Zafonical Storm (USA) 33-1 (9-1) Pulled hard and prominent, led over 1f out, soon headed, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 1/2l behind Hanbrin Bhoy (8-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
Dichoh 7-2 (9-0) Held up, pushed along halfway, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Neardown Beauty (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Lawyers Choice 3-1jt-fav (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Secret Night (8-12) at Lingfield 7f fll hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Highland Harvest 7-4fav (9-4) Keen hold tracking leader, hard ridden and ran on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m hcap (5) pol in Feb beating Paradise Dancer (9-3) by a nk, 5 ran.
Trimlestown (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Slowly away, soon mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 5l behind The Kiddykid (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Dudley Docker (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 7l behind Ninth House (8-10) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Hessian (IRE) 10-3 (9-10) Broke well, soon steadied, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, no headway, 7th of 10, 6l behind Parkview Love (9-5) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Smokin Joe 14-1 (9-3) Keen held up, ridden, carried head high from over 1f out, not run on, 7th of 9, 2l behind Desert Dreamer (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.