tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace
led early, chased leader, ridden and every chance 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, led 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on, driven out
held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final 100 yards, no impression
soon led, clear over 4f out until 3f out, headed 1f out, held inside final furlong, kept on
WINDSOR CROSS made all over track and trip in a higher grade contest than this last time. He won a shade cosily in the end and Richard Fahey’s charge can shrug off a 3lb rise in the weights and go in again. Hard Graft has been thereabouts at Southwell but The British Lion has made little impression in handicaps lately. How Bizarre may get involved now handicapping for the first time though has his first start since October along with the more-exposed Ventura Gold.
Windsor Cross (IRE) 7-2 (8-8) Keen made all, ridden and ran on, won at Newcastle 7f hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Jellmood (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Hard Graft 11-2 (9-6) Held up and raced wide, went 3rd over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Helen Sherbet (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
The British Lion (IRE) 11-8fav (10-0) Tracked leader, pushed along to lead over 1f out, soon headed, no extra, 4th of 7, 7l behind Tough Remedy (10-1) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Ventura Gold (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Raced far side, held up, headway when groups merged over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 13, 8 1/2l behind Mutafarrid (9-6) at Yarmouth 7f (5) gd in Oct.
How Bizarre 33-1 (9-2) Led, hung right and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Shuhood (9-2) at Redcar 7f stks (5) gs in Oct.