tracked leaders, went 2nd when ridden 2f out, stayed on to challenge and every chance inside final furlong, no extra and held final 75 yards
soon in touch on outside, led after 3f, ridden 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up behind, headway on outside 2f out, went 3rd when ridden 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never troubled front pair
led after 2f, headed after 3f, tracked leader, driven to regain lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon hard pressed, stayed on well, in command final 75 yards
led 2f, tracked leaders, lost place when not much room inside final 2f, soon ridden, kept on under presure inside final furlong, never on terms
held up in 5th, lost place over 7f out, soon struggling and tailed off, pulled up 5f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, driven to chase leaders 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace in 4th final furlong, no impression
Blue Surf and Fattsota have both won over hurdles recently but have not scored on the Flat since 2015. The latter finished behind third-placed Sennockian Star at Newcastle last week and Mark Johnston’s charge had narrowly beaten Rydan here earlier. There is little to choose between the latter pair on that form and it would be no surprise if either won this but a chance is taken on MASTERPAVER. He’ll need to improve on last year’s effort in this when only fifth but a repeat of last month’s second to the progressive Natural Scenery should see Richard Fahey’s charge bang there at the finish.
Blue Surf 16-1 (9-1) Tracked winner, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Pinzolo (9-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Fattsota 16-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Hamelin (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Rydan (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, good headway on outside tracking leaders over 3f out, 2nd over 2f out, ridden to challenge and carried head awkwardly over 1f out, outbattled inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Sennockian Star (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Sennockian Star 11-4 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Hamelin (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Masterpaver 6-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Natural Scenery (9-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Precision Five 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, shaken up 3 out, not fluent last, not run on flat, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Canton Prince (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
Lord Napier (IRE) 5-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 2nd 8f out, led over 3f out and sent for home, reduced lead when ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra final 125 yards, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Belabour (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.