started slowly, always rear and outpaced over 2f out
led, ridden over 2f out, hard-pressed inside final furlong, just held on
prominent, effort over 1f out, not quicken, soon one pace
held up, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong
steadied start, mid-division, headway and switched to inside over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not reach leaders
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on but no real impression final furlong
soon pressed leader, effort 2f out, not quicken, beaten rapidly inside final 2f
chased leaders, went 2nd well over 1f out, pressed winner well inside final furlong, just failed
raced wide behind, headway over 1f out, kept on, never dangerous
Figaro Flyer is selected here ahead of Hypocrisy and Lucayos. Rowe Park is on a roll but has a big hike in the ratings to contend with after his latest win. Figaro Flyer was beaten a whisker off a pound lower mark recently, although that came at Wolverhampton, and he is closely weighted with Hypocrisy, who also holds claims, based on Wolverhampton form in December. Raised five pounds for a narrow course and distance win, Lucayos, in keeping with a number of these, needs to improve again, although he could still go well. Circuit Dancer also needs to improve but at least his all-weather record is one win from two starts. A tricky race then in which we will side with Figaro Flyer.
Circuit Dancer (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (8-12) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sept beating Ptarmigan Ridge (8-7) by 2l, 14 ran.
Lucayos 7-1 (8-9) Soon steadied behind leaders, led inside final furlong, strongly pressed and hung right well inside final furlong, just held on, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Zarzu (8-7) by a shd, 11 ran.
Zarzu 16-1 (8-7) In touch, headway over 1f out, chased winner, strong challenge and hung right well inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 11, shd behind Lucayos (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Hypocrisy 9-2 (8-9) Held up, headway and switched over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind McNairobi (8-11) at Lingfield 7f fll hcp (4) pol.
Figaro Flyer (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Held up in rear, wide bend 2f out, no danger after, 9th of 11, 7l behind Lucayos (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Rowe Park 2-1fav (8-9) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, driven clear final furlong, easily, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Feb beating Stoneacre Boy (8-10) by 4l, 10 ran.
Pieter Brueghel (USA) 11-1 (9-2) Behind, some late headway from over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 10, 5l behind Magic Glade (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Lethal 5-2fav (9-2) Soon led, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Lucayos (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.