keen, raced wide close up, led 1f out, ridden and quickened clear, readily
mid-division, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace
in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, never nearer
close up, ridden halfway, struggling from over 2f out, eased final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, hung left over 1f out, switched right ridden and kept on, never nearer
This is tricky as four of the seven runners make their handicap debuts and each offers some appeal, none more so than SECRETIVE who gets the call from Progress and Rjeef. Mark Johnston's runner made a winning debut at Southwell as a juvenile and this 60,000 guineas purchase should improve further now aged three. He's kept to seven furlongs which seems a good move on pedigree, so the only two serious concerns are his ability to adapt to this quicker surface and whether a mark of 77 will prove lenient. A degree of guesswork is required to answer the last question but the market support he attracted on debut suggests he's well regarded, whilst his sire has produced plenty of winners on this surface and connections wouldn't be here if they were overly concerned. Progress is another fascinating handicap debutant and one who may have got in lightly off 71. Jeremy Noseda's filly ran in a decent maiden first time out when fifth and was backed as if defeat were unthinkable prior to scoring at Kempton last time. She still looked green last time and needed every yard of that six furlong contest, so this step up in trip looks a wise move and she's one to consider. Rjeef has no questions to answer with regards trip nor ability to win a handicap as he did so at Wolverhampton last time. A 7lb rise appears fair but he is taking on some potential improvers today and might just find a couple too good, despite the continued good run of the yard. Thrust Control has been off since making a winning debut in October and appears to have plenty of weight, despite the fact that contest has produced a couple of winners. The market will tell us more, as it will with regards to Lockantanks who won a claimer last time but did so in the style of a horse who can hold his own back in handicaps off this sort of mark. Tenacestream drops back in trip but will need to settle better than he has whilst Transfixed is exposed and has it all to do. This is a fascinating handicap, one that may go to Secretive providing the market makes the right noises.
Rjeef (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb beating Demonstrative (9-6) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Thrust Control (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Made virtually all, ridden and strongly pressed when rider dropped whip inside final furlong, pushed along and ran on well, won at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Oct beating Pan American (8-10) by hd, 12 ran.
Lockantanks 6-1 (8-11) Always prominent, led over 2f out, driven clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo clm stks (6) pol beating Giulietta Da Vinci (8-1) by 4l, 8 ran.
Secretive 8-11fav (9-3) Led, headed over 4f out, pushed along halfway, ridden to lead again and edged left over 1f out, ran on, won at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec beating Golden Tiger (9-3) by 3l, 6 ran.
Tenacestream (CAN) 3-1 (9-6) Took keen hold, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Monterosso (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Transfixed (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Never better than mid-division, 6th of 9, 6l behind Jarrow (9-5) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Progress (IRE) 5-6fav (8-12) Chased leaders, caught on the heels of the leaders over 3f out and lost momentum, switched left over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression until ran on strongly to lead final strides, won at Kempton 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Feb beating Torres Del Paine (9-3) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
