always in rear
rider removed blind late, slowly away, pulled hard, headway to lead over 5f out, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra
keen, held up mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened entering final 2f
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead post
led, headed over 5f out, remained close-up, ridden to lead again 1f out, caught post
close up, outpaced over 4f out, switched right over 3f out, wide into straight 2f out, ran on final furlong, just failed
in rear, plenty to do 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish
in touch, ridden 3f out, soon slightly outpaced, stayed on under pressure final furlong
prominent, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
pulled hard, held up, wide and headway to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
El Dececy, NEW STAR and Padlocked form the shortlist in this 'hands and heels' apprentice series final handicap and the vote is given to New Star. Mark Brisbourne's 5-year-old did just enough to repel the challenge of Prince Noel at Wolverhampton last time after a solid effort previously behind Blacktoft. All his wins have been at Dunstall Park and he races here for the first time, but he looks progressive and he can get his head in front again. The presence of the talented Paul Pickard in the plate is another big plus. El Dececy was far from disgraced over 5f at Wolverhampton when second behind Perlachy, but he has never won over less than 1m and the return to this trip is a big plus. In contrast, Padlocked will be suited by the drop back to this distance after a disappointing effort on his last start. He remains unexposed so there may be more to come and he should be thereabouts at the finish. Fremen has got the ability to win this but he has been off the track since October and he will probably be sharper for the run. With this in mind we will stick with New Star as the pick.
Padlocked (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Close up, effort 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 9l behind King Charles (8-10) at Ascot 1m 2f stk 0-90 (3) gs in Sept '07.
Alfresco 14-1 (8-11) Dwelt, soon chasing leaders, ridden and weakening when not much room just inside final 2f, last of 11, 16l behind The Which Doctor (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Hustle (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 5l behind Spectait (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Fremen (USA) 5-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, lost straight, gradually eased out over 2f out, driven and strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd last stride, not reached winner, 2nd of 13, nk behind Smokey Rye (8-9) at Kempton 1m clm (6) pol in Oc.
El Dececy (USA) 12-1 (9-4) Soon led, ridden 2f out, kept on, no extra when headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Perlachy (8-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
New Star (UAE) 7-4fav (9-5) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, hard-ridden final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol beating Prince Noel (8-4) by a nk, 7 ran.
Bahiano (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 6l behind My Gacho (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Solent Ridge (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, wandered final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Gallantry (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
King's Ransom 25-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, driven and went 2nd inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Brouhaha (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Shake On It 11-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, hard ridden and effort approaching final furlong, soon one pace, 8th of 11, 5l behind Lopinot (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
