chased leader, every chance 2f out, ridden final furlong, faded towards finish
always well placed, ridden just over 1f out, ran on towards finish
always close up on inside, pushed along to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, headed post
held up in rear, pushed along well over 1f out, some late progress
held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, progress well over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
held up and behind, reminder 1f out, kept on towards finish, never dangerous
Raucous is at home in this grade but remains 9lb higher than when scoring at Goodwood last year and hasn’t raced since last summer while Gulliver’s losing run continues, though he’s at least back on a winning mark. Alsvinder narrowly beat Merhoob over track and trip last month but ran below par behind DESERT DOCTOR at Chelmsford last time when the latter also finished well ahead of Ultimate Avenue and Atletico. Ed Walker’s charge is back up in class today but has now won five of 10 starts on the all-weather and another bold bid is expected. Giogiobbo has won twice on the Polytrack in France but has yet to threaten for current connections.
Giogiobbo 13-2 (9-7) Raced wide close up, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 10l behind Gorgeous Noora (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Raucous 5-1 (10-0) Led, headed 2f out, ridden to lead again inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Hart Stopper (8-12) at Yarmouth 6f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Gulliver 13-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Shamshon (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Alsvinder 7-2jfav (9-8) Slowly away, always towards rear, last of 9, 7 1/2l behind Desert Doctor (9-1) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Merhoob (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, under pressure over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Encore d'Or (9-0) at Newcastle 5f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Ultimate Avenue (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 4th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Desert Doctor (9-1) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Desert Doctor (IRE) 7-2jfav (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Human Nature (8-9) by hd, 9 ran.
Atletico (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Towards rear, soon pushed along, well beaten over 2f out, last of 9, 16 3/4l behind Moonraker (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp (2) pol in Feb.