held up towards rear, good headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
mid-division, hanging left, looked awkward and well beaten over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, 3rd and no extra close home
dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and headway on stands rail 1f out, not trouble leaders
held up towards rear, headway entering final furlong, never nearer
went left start, tracked leaders, effort 2f out, led entering final furlong, soon headed, held towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
Keyser Soze has never run on this surface but won a similar class handicap at Lingfield to complete a double there and looks certain to go well despite a 5lb rise. Breathless Times has run twice on the surface, winning both times at Wolverhampton, and was a close fourth in the 3 Year Old All-Weather Championship at Lingfield last March. PINNATA enters the fray in brilliant form, completing a hat-trick with a victory in this grade here last month, and will take the world of beating as he attempts a four-timer. Sanaadh won a handicap at this level over the track and trip before finding 6f too short at Wolverhampton and has to be respected along with Ballard Down, who should be at his peak after two narrow defeats following a break. Exchequer wasn't beaten far at Wolverhampton but all six career victories have been on Polytrack.
Keyser Soze (IRE) 4-5fav (9-7) Slowly away in rear, headway inside final furlong, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (2) pol in Jan beating Areen Heart (8-13) by 1l, 8 ran.
Breathless Times 11-8fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 12 1/2l behind Arcanada (9-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Pinnata (IRE) 2-1fav (8-6) Keen, prominent, led 2f out, driven clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newcastle 7f hcp (2) pol in Jan beating Straight Right (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ballard Down (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, pushed along on inside over 2f out, headway when tried to switch right and hung left over 1f out, switched left back to inside entering final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Mr Scaramanga (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Sanaadh 3-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, chased leaders, switched right to challenge entering final furlong, soon hung left, kept on, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Shamshon (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Gallipoli (IRE) 13-2 (8-6) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Pinnata (8-6) at Newcastle 7f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Starlight Romance (IRE) 28-1 (8-7) Behind, headway over 1f out, soon no impression, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Pinnata (8-6) at Newcastle 7f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Exchequer (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Shamshon (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Custard The Dragon 12-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, took closer order over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Newcastle 7f hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Portledge (9-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
