held up in 5th, smooth headway on bit to lead just over 1f out, pushed along, ran on well, comfortably
dwelt, soon chased leaders, outpaced halfway, soon beaten
pressed leader, led halfway, ridden over 1f out, headed just over 1f out, no chance with winner and weakened into 3rd inside final furlong
chased leading pair, pushed along 3f out, weakened and behind from halfway
HANDSOME CROSS will not be much of a price but Willie Musson's nine-year-old should be tough to beat and he is taken to get the better of Ten Down and Truly Divine. The selection went close in a handicap here last time out when he chased home Vintage. In fact he has finished second in each of his last four starts and as he is dropped into a claimer today he is hard to oppose. Ten Down is another who is dropped in grade and he is a bit of a course specialist. He looks to have a bit to find to beat our selection, but nonetheless he should run his race. Truly Divine has yet to win in 11 attempts on the all-weather, but it is worth noting that he is dropped into this grade for the first time today. Spring Bridge and Tan Bonita have been disappointing of late and are hard to fancy. This is a race that lacks any strength in depth and the vote is given to Handsome Cross.
Handsome Cross (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, caught post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Vintage (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Ten Down 7-2fav (8-6) Led 1f, tracked leader, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 9, 2l behind After The Show (8-11) at Lingfield 5f Handicap (0-62) (4yo+) (6) pol in Jan.
Spring Bridge (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Towards rear, soon pushed along, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 8l behind Boldinor (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Truly Divine 14-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Straboe (8-13) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Tan Bonita (USA) 50-1 (8-9) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 17l behind Elusive Ronnie (9-5) at Lingfield 5f sell stks (6) pol.