tracked leader, effort well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
steadied start, settled in rear but in touch, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, quickened over 2f out, stayed on well
Lord Caprio landed a double at the track back in November and returns to action raised 7lb. But MR CARBONATOR is preferred as he followed a Wolverhampton success with a victory in a higher grade handicap than this at Southwell - the hat-trick beckons for Philip Kirby’s charge. Bad Dog went close over 7f here last time and has shout with an apprentice’s 5lb allowance in his favour but the remaining pair are harder to fancy.
Mr Carbonator 3-1 (8-13) Held up, good headway on outside 3f out, soon 3rd, shaken up to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Southwell 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Sharp Reminder (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Lord Caprio (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leader 1f out, led towards finish, won at Newcastle 1m (5) pol in Nov beating Canadian George (9-3) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Foxy Lady 9-2 (9-9) Outpaced in rear, switched to race on outside after 1f, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 20 3/4l behind Cherubic (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Toohottotouch 40-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Completion (9-5) at Newcastle 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Bad Dog 11-4 (8-5) Tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 3, 1/2l behind Elixsoft (8-5) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan.