in rear, reminders over 4f out, headway to go 3rd 2f out, switched right 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
keen, held up, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
made all at strong pace, came centre and driven over 1f out, rider dropped whip inside final furlong, found extra when challenged inside final furlong
tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
soon pushed along towards rear, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
DIG DEEP and Mocha Java have the best chance at the weights here and preference is just for the former. John Quinn's gelding last won at Chepstow in a handicap from a mark of 68 last summer, and despite running reasonably well since then he has been held from higher marks. This is his optimum trip and he has been given an easier task now than those recent runs, while he did act on this surface and track at the beginning of his career. Mocha Java is only 1lb worse off with our pick than if this were a handicap and comes here in decent nick after winning at Southwell a couple of starts ago. This is also his trip, and while he has run reasonably well on this surface previously, he does prefer a slower surface and is taken on. One who does go well here is course and distance scorer Dichoh. He is consistent enough but not well treated at the weights and cannot be backed with huge amounts of confidence. Kipchak has 6lbs to find with our pick, but that is not impossible for one who goes very well here and over this trip, but we just favour the claims of Dig Deep.
Dichoh 7-1 (9-4) Chased leading pair throughout, ridden and no impression over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Ilie Nastase (9-7) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol.
Dig Deep (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge, 6th of 8, 14l behind Follow The Flag (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Kipchak (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) In touch, hard ridden over 2f out never on terms, 4th of 10, 5l behind Elusive Warrior (9-2) at Southwell 7f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Lord Deevert 7-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Peopleton Brook (8-10) at Lingfield 6f clm stks (6) pol.
Mocha Java 7-2 (8-4) Prominent, not clear run briefly and lost place just over 3f out, no impression on leaders after, 4th of 8, 6l behind Total Impact (9-5) at Southwell 6f clm stks (6) fbs.
Rony Dony (IRE) 66-1 (8-0) Held up in rear, headway on inside well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 11, 5l behind Headache (9-6) at Lingfield 7f app hcp 0-60 (6) pol.