held up in rear, steady progress on outside over 4f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden and beaten 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden to lead just over 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong, stayed on well
chased leader after 2f, led 2f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, one pace
led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led 1f, close up till pushed along and weakened over 3f out
It could pay to stick with PIRATE KING (NAP) in this. Charlie Fellowes’ charge bids for a hat-trick of course and distance wins having scored in this grade last time and he beat Battle Of Marathon with a bit to spare back in December. The latter has gone on to win three times here, though Blowing Dixie re-opposes on better terms for last week’s length defeat. City Tour, fresh from landing a double over 1m3f at Kempton, can also figure.
Battle Of Marathon (USA) Evensfav (9-12) Last to break, held up and behind, headway into 3rd over 7f out, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Cry Wolf (8-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Pirate King 5-2fav (8-11) Dwelt close up, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headway to lead entering final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Entangling (9-6) by 1l, 7 ran.
City Tour 9-4fav (9-1) Mid-division, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, eased well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Ilhabela Fact (9-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Blowing Dixie 10-3 (9-5) Chased leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, lost 2nd last stride, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind Battle Of Marathon (9-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Mr Top Hat 14-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, held up, in rear when hampered over 2f out, well beaten after, 8th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Mickey (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Feb.