took keen hold tracking leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden approaching final furlong, driven and held on closing stages
tracked leading pair on outside, led 5f out, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, chased winner but held, weakened to 3rd until final 75 yards
tracked leader until over 4f out, stayed chasing leaders until over 1f out, soon weakened
took keen hold, held up, headway on outside over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final 2f
held up in 5th, headway on inside well over 1f out, went 3rd over 1f out, strong run to 2nd final 75 yards, closing fast on winner near finish
dwelt, soon recovered to lead, headed 5f out, lost 2nd over 4f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on steadily inside final furlong, nearest finish
Santadelacruze has yet to win but the remainder can all be given a chance of sorts in a really competitive handicap. Shabora scored over a longer trip here a fortnight ago with previous winner Moderator behind and should be in the firing-line once again, while Karma Chameleon notched-up a four timer when scoring at Wolverhampton last month, but this is tougher. Those making their handicap debuts include recent course winners Gaul Wood and Flash Crash while Dubai Sunshine opened his account in good style at Southwell last time. However, SWITZERLAND's victory over 6f here is working out really well with both placed horses having subsequently won and the Shamardal colt should have no problem with the longer trip on his handicap bow. He gets the nod.
Shabora (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Went right start, tracked leaders on outer, ran wide into straight 2f out, effort to lead inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Come On Blue Chip (9-6) by nk, 6 ran.
Switzerland (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, switched right to challenge over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven clear, redily, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Jan beating Al Freej (8-9) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Dubai Sunshine (IRE) 7-2fav (8-6) Raced wide prominent, led 3f out, clear over 1f out, eased final furlong, comfortably (hand time), won at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) fbs in Jan beating Cape Safari (8-1) by 3l, 12 ran.
Moderator 3-1 (9-6) In touch in rear, ridden 2f out, switched left 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd post, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Shabora (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Karma Chameleon Evensfav (9-4) Held up towards rear, soon in touch, went 3rd over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating New Decade (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Flash Crash 7-4 (8-8) Slowly into stride, led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m mdn auc stks (6) pol in Jan beating Athletic (8-5) by 5l, 8 ran.
Santadelacruze 33-1 (9-3) In touch on inside, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 12l behind Lancaster Gate (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec.
Gaul Wood (IRE) 1-7fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, switched right to challenge on outside over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, soon clear, hard held, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Jan beating Prince Gabrial (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
