led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, soon weakened
keen, held up mid-division, effort when not clear run over 1f out, kept on same pace
pushed along to track leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, pushed up to track leading pair raced keen, ridden 2f out, led 1f out, headed well inside final furlong
in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace
tracked leading pair, ridden and weakened over 1f out
raced wide, held up towards rear, headway on outer over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, just prevailed
raced in last place, ridden and slightly hampered over 1f out, switched right, headway entering final furlong, driven ran on, just failed
A reasonable maiden can be taken by PIPPBROOK MINISTAR, with Penrod Ballantyne and Takajan others for the short-list. The last-named, trained by Sylvester Kirk, was a shade disappointing last time out at Kempton, but he had previously shown up well both here and at Southwell in similar contests, and if he can return to that sort of form then he looks capable of going close again. Penrod Ballantyne showed some improvement at Wolverhampton earlier in the month, and the Indian Ridge colt raced there as if this drop back in trip would be a positive move, in spite of pedigree suggesting otherwise. A market check is advised. Mint Whip is not out of this on her first try at this venue, although she will have to show more than we have seen so far if she is to win it. Trading Nation is not certain to appreciate the drop back from 7f and we will side with Pippbrook Ministar. Jim Boyle's filly was green and all over the place on debut over course and distance earlier in February, but once she got the hang of things she picked up very well to finish runner-up. Provided this does not come too soon for her, then we expect her to have learned plenty that day and she can hopefully confirm the promise she showed by breaking her duck this time.
Tightrope (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased, 9th of 12, 7l behind Boldinor (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Trading Nation (USA) 12-1 (9-13) In touch, good run on inside to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Ginger Grey (8-10) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
Divine White 20-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 8l behind Equinity (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.
England (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 13l behind Dorback (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Penrod Ballantyne (IRE) 5-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Hacienda (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Takajan (IRE) 3-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Ginger Jack (8-9) at Kempton 1m mdn auc stks (5) pol.
Mint Whip (IRE) 8-1 (8-2) Chased leader, challenged going well over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, faded and lost 2 places near finish, 4th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Love Delta (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Pippbrook Ministar 33-1 (8-6) Dwelt outpaced and running green, well behind and ran very wide into straight, still plenty to do ran on strongly to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Arry's Orse (8-11) at Lingfield 6f mdn stks (5) pol.
