tracked leader, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly
mid-division, never on terms
held up in touch, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on closing stages, nearest finish
led, headed over 1f out, soon rallied, kept on under pressure
unruly in stalls and rider was late removing hood, slowly away, always in rear
tracked leader, under pressure over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms
behind, driven halfway, weakened over 2f out
Exoplanet Blue recorded her only win so far over 7f and went close over the latter distance here earlier in the month. Lightning Charlie has only won a maiden race to date though was beaten only a length at Kempton recently while Renounce has yet to threaten in handicaps and drops down a grade for this. DESERT STRIKE was winning at Chelmsford off a 12lb higher mark as recently as August last year. A prolific course and distance winner over the years, Conor Dore’s veteran gets a speculative vote to come good again in this off his current mark.
Lightning Charlie 11-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders on inside, took keen hold, not much room over 4f out, going well over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Picket Line (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Renounce (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 12 3/4l behind Mezmaar (8-7) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Exoplanet Blue 5-2jfav (9-7) Dwelt in touch, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Baileys Mirage (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp fll (5) pol in Apr.
Desert Strike 25-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Bowson Fred (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Red Cossack (CAN) 9-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon led and soon headed, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Charlies Mate (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Honcho (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Dwelt in touch 4f out, ridden and no impression 2f out, stayed on under pressure towards finish, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Picansort (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Straits Of Malacca 40-1 (9-0) Not much room soon after start, in rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never involved, 7th of 11, 4l behind Picket Line (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Monna Valley 5-2fav (9-7) Hampered start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Dark Wonder (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Sep.