with leader, ridden and every chance from over 1f out to well inside final furlong
held up mid-division, steady headway from over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd towards finish, not reach winner
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, driven out
mid-division, ridden 2f out, no progress over 1f out, weakened final furlong
started slowly, behind, stayed on steadily from over 1f out nearest finish
prominent, ridden to challenge just inside final furlong, every chance, no extra final 50 yards
led narrowly, hard pressed from over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
refused to race
raced wide, always rear group, well outpaced over 2f out, never a factor
always rear group, never a factor
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway inside final 2f, ran on not reach leaders
prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
always in rear
Nonrunner
This is a competitive handicap in which Ballybeg, African Concerto and Garstang look to be the leading lights with the vote given to the last mentioned. The selection may be rising in the weights but he is cracking form at present and he was a decisive winner over this course and distance last time. His stable continue in good form and he looks the one to beat. Ballybeg was a decent second behind Piano Player in a maiden last time and he certainly holds claims, but he does not look the most straightforward and he is a tricky ride, so the percentage call is to oppose him. African Concerto won well here last time in a claimer, but he is often slowly away in his races and in this more competitive contest that could cost him his chance today. Welsh Dragon is running well at present and may prove best of the remainder, but Garstang looks a progressive sort and is taken to lead them home.
Garstang 15-8fav (9-9) Keen hold, tracked leaders, hard ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol beating Mine The Balance (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ballybeg (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Chased leader, led inside final furlong, caught near finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Piano Player (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Canina 15-2 (9-2) Prominent, lost place after 1f, headway over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Hypocrisy (9-4) at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
African Concerto (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Held up, headway halfway, outpaced 2f out, ran on to lead near finish, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo clm (6) pol beating Mr Cheers (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Welsh Dragon 9-4fav (9-2) Soon crossed over from wide draw to track leaders, ridden to lead inside final 2f, hard driven inside final furlong, caught last stride, 2nd of 13, shd behind Miss Dagger (8-6) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
Miss Dagger (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ran on well final furlong, led last stride, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol beating Welsh Dragon (9-2) by a shd, 13 ran.
Sparkbridge (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Towards rear, never a factor, last of 10, 28l behind Lady Romanov (8-6) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) fbs in Oct.
Patavium Prince (IRE) 6-4jt-fav (9-3) Disputed lead, with winner until 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Diane's Choice (8-12) at Lingfield 5f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Feb.
