held up behind, steady headway 3f out, shaken up to challenge over 1f out, not quicken and held final furlong
tracked leaders, challenged well over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on well final furlong
held up in touch on outside, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, ridden and effort on outside over 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, one pace and no impression approaching final furlong
soon led, headed over 5f out, outpaced 3f out, lost place 2f out, soon weakened
driven to press leader, led over 5f out, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no chance with leading pair final furlong
With an unbeaten record at this track and having not been disgraced in defeat last time we think ANSELL'S PRIDE has what it takes to land this handicap ahead of Internationaldebut and Goliaths Boy. The selection was unlucky to bump into an extremely well handicapped dual subsequent winner on his last start so although he goes up in the weights despite defeat that seems fair. On the pick of his form he's still off a nice mark so given he likes these conditions and has won both of his starts here he has to get the call. Internationaldebut is the class horse in the race but as a result has to concede plenty of weight to all. He looked good on his seasonal bow last time and he should be able to build on that now a bit fitter but he'll need too with the handicapper putting him up five pounds for that last run. Goliaths Boy hasn't been seen since back to back near misses in the autumn so if fit on his seasonal return he looks to have a live chance off the same rating. Thunderball and Mangam are also in with a small chance off fair enough marks but Ansell's Pride has never lost at this venue and we don't think he'll start here.
Internationaldebut (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Keen, in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and caught post, 2nd of 19, hd behind Deadly Encounter (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar.
Goliaths Boy (IRE) 4-1fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Hanoverian Baron (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Thunderball 15-2 (8-7) Led until well over 1f out, chased leader until entering final furlong, weakend inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 6l behind Starluck (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar.
Johnmanderville 10-3fav (8-10) Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, soon eased, last of 10, 11l behind Cheers For Thea (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Mar.
Silver Rime (FR) 4-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 13l behind Collateral Damage (9-7) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Oct.
Wind Shuffle (GER) 18-1 (8-13) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 32l behind Rosbay (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Mar.
Ansells Pride (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Soon chasing leaders, chased winner over 2f out, one pace, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Trans Sonic (8-8) at Southwell 1m hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Mangham (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, chased winner briefly over 1f out, weakend final furlong, 5th of 12, 11l behind Trans Sonic (8-3) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
