always in rear
in touch, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f
led after 1f, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, one pace
dwelt, held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never nearer
raced wide, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
led 1f, chased leaders, ridden and one pace final 1f
in touch, switched right after 3f, went 3rd halfway, led approaching final furlong, soon quickened clear, comfortable
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
towards rear, ridden halfway, some headway over 2f out, one pace
tracked leader, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on, not pace of winner
Sweet Medicine is a tentative pick over the likes of Landela, Henry Holmes, Cool Customer and Gizmondo. With fitness at a premium, it is hard to gauge the merits of those returning from lengthy absences, so we shall rely on Sweet Medicine who, having finished fourth in a Southwell bumper, switched codes to make the favourite Lady Gregory pull out all the stops over 12 furlongs at Wolverhampton last time. It is a brave move by Paul Howling to drop the daughter of Derby winner Dr Devious back in trip, but she can put her stamina to good use to come out on top. Landela showed good pace before tiring to finish fourth on her debut over seven furlongs here 18 days ago and will improve over the extra furlong. Henry Holmes looks held by the selection on a line through Sky High Guy, while Cool Customer is one of the contingent with a break to overcome, as is Gizmondo. All will improve and will ultimately be campaigned on Turf when the new season starts shortly, but Sweet Medicine has that vital fitness edge and can make the most of that fact here.
Eccollo (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 18l behind Mineko (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Landela 8-1 (9-7) Chased winner, ran wide bend 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 10l behind Trans Sonic (8-9) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb.
Sweet Medicine 28-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 12, shd behind Lady Gregory (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb.
Cool Customer (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Held up, never on terms, 11th of 22, 7l behind Rampallion (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Gizmondo 25-1 (8-12) Slowly away, always in rear, 14th of 15, 17l behind Renderoc (8-9) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
Henry Holmes 33-1 (8-11) Towards rear, headway to chase winner 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 4th of 8, 3l behind Abstract Art (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Jan.
Medfae (KSA) Florida's Son colt out of USA winner Maureen's Hope.
Tommy Toogood (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always behind, 9th of 12, 7l behind South Cape (9-0) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Fire of Love 5-2 (8-1) Chased leader until 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 11, 12l behind John Charles (9-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Feb.
March Gold (IRE) Rich Man's Gold filly, half-sister to a winning miler in the USA.
Picture Show (USA) 20-1 (8-11) Raced stands' side, chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 18, 12l behind Star Cluster (8-11) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) gf in Jul.
Marcello 9-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 13, 10l behind Lucky Lark (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
