tracked leaders, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace
made all, hard driven when pressed from over 1f out, held on gamely
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, no extra closing stages
in touch, outpaced over 2f out, never on terms
tracked leader, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace
awkward leaving stalls, behind, late headway, never a threat
dwelt, held up, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never reached winner
raced freely, held up, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out
First Response won over track and trip last month when beating Paparazzi with Vive La Difference further behind but all three were well beaten in the same race back here last time. MERCHANT OF VENICE is preferred as James Fanshawe’s charge has gone close the last twice now and is taken to confirm latest running at Kempton with both Trevithick and Masham Star. Humbert was placed over further at Lingfield recently without threatening and looks no nearer ending a long losing run.
Humbert (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 4 3/4l behind El Ghazwani (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Trevithick 25-1 (9-9) Led after 1f and set decent pace, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Rangali Island (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Merchant Of Venice 9-4fav (9-5) Held up in 4th place, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on into one pace 3rd inside final 150 yards, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Rangali Island (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
First Response 11-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, went 4th inside final furlong, kept on, no chance with winner, 4th of 10, 10l behind Red Bond (9-6) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Masham Star (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Led until 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Mickey (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Tangled (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 10, 16 1/4l behind Red Bond (9-6) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Paparazzi 9-1 (9-4) Held up, switched left and headway over 1f out, went 2nd entering final furlong, no chance with winner, kept on, 2nd of 10, 8 1/2l behind Red Bond (9-6) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Vive La Difference (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Dwelt, in rear, effort stands side over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Red Bond (9-6) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.