held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, just held on
led, headed over 7f out, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
held up behind, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, always behind
held up mid-division, went 2nd over 7f out, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out, no extra
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, led over 7f out, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
NonRunner
ESSPEEGEE landed an amateurs’ race at Newcastle last month to record a four-timer. He’s been raised a further 4lb but is worth sticking with in his current frame of mind. Amadeus Rox has placed off similar marks on the Flat before and is fit from hurdling while Ginger Lady is the least exposed and steps up in trip for only her second start handicapping. Bartholomew J has been hinting at a return to form with a couple of better efforts lately while Smiley Bagel is now back on a winning mark.
Smiley Bagel (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Alternate Route (9-6) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Esspeegee 6-5fav (10-7) Held up in main group, headway over 4f out, led 3f out, pushed out, won at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Henpecked (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Dolphin Village (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Always towards rear, hampered over 8f out, last of 13, 10 3/4l behind Thaqaffa (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Bartholomew J (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 6, 2 3/4l behind Oregon Gift (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Harbour Force (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Took keen hold early, jumped left 1st, held up off the pace disputing 5th, weakened 4th, tailed off and pulled up after next, at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
Falcon's Fire (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Chased (clear) winner and never remotely on terms, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 8 1/4l behind Outlaw Torn (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Amadeus Rox (FR) 11-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, dist behind Slanelough (12-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Threediamondrings 4-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out until hung left inside final furlong, weakened, 5th of 10, 5l behind General Brook (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Understory (USA) 33-1 (8-13) Headway to lead over 8f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Karam Albaari (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Ginger Lady (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride towards rear, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Pivotal Flame (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.