took keen hold towards rear, headway halfway, saddle soon slipped, close up well over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, steady headway over 4f out, challenged inside final 2f, no extra well inside final furlong
held up, came to stands side entering straight, headway over 3f out, led well over 2f out, soon driven along, ran on well inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 4f out, not much room briefly over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up, headway over 4f out, ridden well over 2f out, challenged from well over 1f out, no extra towards finish
held up in touch, pushed along over 5f out, weakened 4f out
led, headed after 1f, chased leader until 4f out, edged left over 1f out, one pace
led after 1f, edged left over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, carried slightly left and weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, lost place over 5f out, no danger after
A cracking bumper here and as usual in these events the market will be all important but the principals look to be Wichita Lineman, Pepperoni Pete and One More Step and the vote is given to Wichita Lineman. The selection is held in very high regard and he won well on his debut when beating Presentandcorrect and given nominal improvement he will be hard to beat. Pepperoni Pete rates the main danger as he also won well on his racecourse bow when beating Pangbourne despite hanging in the closing stages. He will not get away with such antics in this more competitive affair and for that reason he is opposed. One More Step also won well on her debut when beating Amalfi Storm but that form has since been let down and she is opposed for that reason. Kimi has been placed in both her runs to date but has already given the impression she would be suited by further. Of the remainder, Barbers Shop is a Saddlers' Hall gelding out of a moderate race mare and should be noted in the market but Wichita Lineman sets a fair standard and will be hard to beat.
One More Step 11-4 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, led over 3f out, clear 2f out, very easily, won at Hexham 2m nhf (H) gf in Oct beating Amalfi Storm (10-8) by 17l, 11 ran.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch, headway on bit 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, won at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec beating Pangbourne (11-4) by 5l, 17 ran.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) 7-4fav (10-13) Held up behind, steady headway from 7f out, switched left over 2f out, stayed on strongly to lead inside final furlong, won at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (H) gd in Nov beating Presentandcorrect (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 21 ran.
Grey Tornado My Best Valentine gelding, half brother to bumper, hurdle and chase winner Noble Baron.
It Happened Out (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, stayed on from 2f out, 4th of 15, 6l behind Kicks For Free (11-6) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Kimi (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, in touch, ridden over 4f out, stayed on from 2f out, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Kicks For Free (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Master Eddy 33-1 (11-4) Held up rear, ridden and headway over 5f out, kept on one pace from 2f out, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Dark Corner (10-0) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Mount Sandel (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 4f out, led entering final furlong, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, shd behind Kealshore Lad (10-13) at Wetherby 2m nhf (5) sft in Feb.
Sexy Rexy (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) In touch, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened quickly, 6th of 8, 18l behind Roll Along (11-12) at Warwick 2m nhf lst (1) sft in Jan.
Sky By Night 50-1 (10-9) Held up, headway over 7f out, ran wide on bend 6f out, virtually pulled up, last of 12, well behind Kicks For Free (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Navy Lark Nashwan gelding out of winning miler Holly Blue.
Go Johnny (IRE) Taipan gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Beau Memories.
Lappeenranta (IRE) Presenting gelding, half brother to a dual hurdle/chase winner.
Marcus Silver Patriarch gelding, half brother to a winning hurdler. Dam won over fences.
Niver Bai (FR) River Bay gelding, half-brother to numerous winners in France.
Ringo Cody (IRE) (11-9) 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Tully Cross (11-9) at Roscommon Points 3m ire ptp gs in Nov.
Barbers Shop Saddlers' Hall gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Wantage Road (IRE) Pistolet Bleu gelding out of flat and hurdles winner Glowing Lines.
