keen, made virtually all, edged right off inside rail over 1f out, soon ridden and joined, strongly pressed inside final furlong, ridden and held on gamely
slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, went never dangerous 4th well inside final furlong
chased winner until over 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd
chased leaders on outside, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, weakened final furlong
GRANDFATHER TOM is progressing well and can defy a penalty. Bob Cowell’s colt won in good style over track and trip a fortnight ago with Purple Dragon well beaten and that looks stronger form than Meerpat’s success over 6f at Newcastle despite the latter beating a subsequent winner. Marietta Robusti has plenty to find with Meerpat and It’s difficult to see Sandytown getting into this on the evidence of last year’s modest efforts.
Grandfather Tom 5-2 (9-2) Led 1f, pressed leader, led again inside final 2f, ridden clear entering final furlong, ran on, readily, won at Lingfield 5f stks (6) pol in Feb beating Sir Hector (9-9) by 3l, 6 ran.
Meerpat 9-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, won at Newcastle 6f fll stks (5) pol in Feb beating Porrima (8-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sandytown (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Wasim (9-2) at Doncaster 7f stks (5) gf in Jul.
Marietta Robusti (IRE) 13-2 (8-7) Led early, with leaders, led over 1f out, soon headed, no extra, 6th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Meerpat (8-7) at Newcastle 6f fll stks (5) pol in Feb.
Purple Dragon 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 6, 4 3/4l behind Grandfather Tom (9-2) at Lingfield 5f stks (6) pol in Feb.