pressed leader, led 2f out, ridden and soon headed, weakened final furlong
in touch, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, soon edged left and rider dropped whip, just held on
pushed along leaving stalls and headway to track leaders after 2f, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
close up, lost action badly over 3f out, and hit rails, pulled up
slowly away in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, kept on one pace
held up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, kept on pace
dwelt towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace
keen led narrowly, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, headway and not clear run approaching final furlong, ran on, just failed
It's been sometime since October's Group 3 winner Highland Knight has competed in a handicap but he won't find life easy under today's burden. George Guru won this in 2012 off a lower mark and beat Luhaif over track and trip last month while True To Form just got the better of Atlantis Crossing here three weeks ago with SPIRITUAL STAR not beaten far in fifth. The latter re-opposes on better terms and given he started last season on a 17lb higher mark, he may well be up to landing this. Stasio is another with a shout and stablemates Party Royal and Mondlicht can also be thrown into the mix, though both of the latter's wins came on the Fibresand at Southwell.
Highland Knight (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Tracked leader until 4f out, ridden when weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 12l behind Chookie Royale (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f Listed stks (1) pol.
George Guru 10-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Grey Mirage (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcap (2) pol in Feb.
Luhaif 7-1 (9-2) Pushed along to track leader after 1f, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 6l behind George Guru (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcap (2) pol in Feb.
True To Form (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, led entering final furlong, driven and all out, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Atlantis Crossing (9-1) by shd, 11 ran.
Spiritual Star (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Dwelt in rear, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 11, 1 3/4l behind True To Form (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Atlantis Crossing (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Slowly away in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, driven and ran on, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind True To Form (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Stasio (USA) 13-2 (8-8) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, edged right 1f out, soon went 2nd, stayed on, unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Star Links (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcap (2) pol in Feb.
Azrur (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Led main group and disputing overall, ridden and lost 2nd well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 7l behind Ocean Tempest (9-10) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Sep.
Party Royal 33-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Whispering Warrior (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Brocklebank (IRE) 3-1 (8-13) Dwelt in rear, wide into straight 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Firmdecisions (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Mondlicht (USA) 11-10fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and looked in trouble 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, quicken to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs beating Greyfriarschorista (9-2) by 1l, 8 ran.
