Desert Ruler has not run a bad race since stepped up in trip and is two from two around here, though has another 8lb to carry stepped up in class. Zakatal is not getting any younger and hasn’t raced over a trip this short in more than two years but Paddyplex is better than he showed here three weeks ago when he pulled too hard – he still finished ahead of L'inganno Felice. Indian Chief and BUSY STREET both return from a break. The former still looks too high in the weights but the latter went close off this mark on Turf last summer. He’s got a solid record on Fibresand and there is no reason why he won’t act on Tapeta.
Paddyplex 9-4jfav (9-12) Raced keenly, tracked leader until 4f out, remained handy, 2nd again inside final 2f until ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Lexington Law (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Indian Chief (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 7th of 14, at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Desert Ruler 13-8fav (9-10) Tracked leader 1f, handy 3rd on inside, 2nd again inside final 4f, closed on leader 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Luv U Whatever (9-1) by 1l, 11 ran.
Kensington Star 3-1 (9-7) Dwelt headway on outer to track leaders 9f out, pushed along over 4f out, lost place over 3f out, 7th of 8, 24 1/4l behind Cosmelli (9-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
L'Inganno Felice (FR) 33-1 (9-10) Raced keenly, led until 2f out, ridden and lost 2nd soon after, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Lexington Law (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Strait Of Magellan (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, dist behind Lord County (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Mustaaqeem (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Close up, pushed along 4f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Island Brave (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Busy Street 12-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, chase winner 4f out, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f, 2nd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Zack Mayo (9-1) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Kings Gold (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Took keen hold towards rear, pushed along and struggling in rear over 3f out, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Desert Ruler (9-10) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Zakatal 8-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, last of 5, 5 1/2l behind Gabrial's Star (9-7) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (4) pol in May.
Be Perfect (USA) 33-1 (9-8) Headway to lead 11f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened quickly, 11th of 12, 25 1/4l behind Lopes Dancer (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Sep.
