steadied start, held up in last place and all of 3 lengths off the pack, pushed along and kept on towards finish
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
keen early tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, not pace to challenge
set steady pace, ridden and quickend over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leader untill halfway, close up, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
Nonrunner
An interesting contest where the unexposed SPRUCE might be good enough to take advantage of the weight he receives from all his opponents, while Gargano, Kames Park and Quinsman are respected. The last-named is in a rich vein of form, having won three of his last six races and been placed in the rest of them. That includes a really good effort in defeat at Wolverhampton last time, for which he has gone up 2lbs. Even so, he continues to progress and a win is not beyond the realms of possibility. Kames Park is not as good as when scoring here over course and distance from a mark of 90, three years ago. However, he is also in good nick and has gone up 4lbs for winning last time at Dunstall Park. He should be involved. Gargano looks a shade unlucky to have gone up 1lb for finishing last at Southwell earlier in the month, and he will probably appreciate the return to this venue where he won over today's trip from a 4lbs lower mark in January. He is generally very consistent and is a danger. Benedict Spirit is proving tough to win with these days and needs a drop in the weights, while War Of The Roses is well handicapped if able to return to some sort of form, but preference is for Spruce. Julia Fielden's gelding should have won here over 10f two starts ago and gained compensation in a two-runner affair at Southwell last time. He should get this trip and a 6lb rise should not stop him backing up that recent win.
Encircled 50-1 (9-11) Held up mainly in rear, 9th of 12, 8l behind Thin Red Line (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
War of The Roses (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 8, 12l behind Thunderstruck (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Quinsman 4-1 (9-7) Held up, in touch, headway on outside 3f out, chased leader 2f out, hard ridden to lead well inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Houston Dynimo (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 10-3fav (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, led over 2f out, hard ridden and hung right inside final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, soon lost 2nd, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Houston Dynimo (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Gargano (IRE) 10-11fav (9-6) Led after 1f, clear 8f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened tamely, last of 6, 12l behind Charging Indian (9-7) at Southwell 1m 3f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Spruce (USA) 2-13fav (8-6) Made all, 5 lengths clear 3f out, 15 lengths clear approaching final furlong, eased down, unchallenged, won at Southwell 1m 3f mdn hcp (5) fbs beating Ivestar (8-8) by 25l, 2 ran.
Kames Park (IRE) 7-2 (8-7) Held up, in rear, strong headway over 2f out, switched left to challenge over 1f out, soon every chance, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Admirable Duque (8-2) by nk, 6 ran.
