steadied in rear, outpaced halfway, soon no impression
led, drew clear over 1f out, headed and no extra towards finish
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, rallied approaching final furlong, kept on well
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
Marie's Fantasy had Chicarito back in fourth when scoring over C&D last time and should make another bold bid off a 3lb higher mark, while Maria Montez belied big odds to go close over 6f at Wolverhampton three weeks ago and could figure. Strike A Pose will need more on her handicap debut, however, so a tentative vote goes to stablemate PERSIDHA. David Evans' filly returns from a lay-off here but her third at Yarmouth in September is the best piece of form on offer and she can land this with a repeat.
Persidha 5-2fav (8-6) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 7th of 10, 7l behind Adranian (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo sell stks (6) pol in Oct.
Maria Montez 40-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, not clear run on inside well over 1f out and switched right, headway and staying on when switched left inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Russian Bullet (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Chicarito 9-2 (9-7) Close up, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Marie's Fantasy (9-2) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Marie's Fantasy 11-2 (9-2) Held up in touch, headway on outer when slighty hampered over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Betty Brook (9-6) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Strike A Pose (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Dwelt in touch in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance just inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 2l behind Cut Across (9-13) at Lingfield 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.