chased leaders, under pressure 2f out, soon no impression
with leader, every chance from well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on
led, soon pressed, strongly challenged from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, never reached winner
held up in touch, kept on approching final furlong, never able to challenge
Hierarch and Mercury won Class 6 handicaps on their latest starts and the former carries 6lb extra. EXALTED is also penalised for winning at Kempton last week but he drops in class for this and should go close again given Paddy Bradley has won on him before. The remaining pair are harder to fancy as First Rebellion has done all his winning so far over shorter trips and Jonnie Skull was a long way behind Hierarch at Chelmsford a week ago.
Hierarch (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Tracked leading pair, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Schottische (9-0) by 1l, 6 ran.
Exalted (IRE) 15-8fav (8-8) Made all, clear 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on, driven out, won at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Gracious George (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Mercury 8-1 (9-7) Made all, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, held on, won at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Louis Vee (9-9) by nk, 8 ran.
First Rebellion 16-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 3 3/4l behind National Service (9-12) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened final 110 yards, last of 6, 6 1/2l behind Hierarch (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.