in touch, lost place over 5f out, not a danger after
led, ridden 3 lengths clear over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, in proved to 4th 5f out, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, soon bumped, driven inside final furlong, edged left, stayed on to lead towards finish and bumped rival post
held up in rear, hampered when short of room over 3f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, squeezed through bumped rival 1f out, soon led, driven, headed and bumped towards finish
slowly into stride in rear, switched right and headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace
slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Kaateb is in great heart and is fancied to be too good for the likes of Jeer and Sahrati in this tricky little handicap. Indeed, with only 6lb separating the top quintet, there is little room for error here. Sahrati has been cut some slack by the handicapper and is one to bear in mind if supported. Any rain would be a plus for Clive Brittain's charge, though. Jeer has been in good heart this term and, as he is a versatile performer, the ground ought not to be an issue with him. Ed Dunlop has started to turn the corner with his string and Jeer rates as the best alternative to the selection. However, Kaateb is really on a roll just now and, his progressive profile is a very persuasive tool at this level.
Sahrati 12-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on, 5th of 14, 6l behind Double Banded (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Apr.
Invasian (IRE) 28-1 (8-11) Led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 40l behind Ajaan (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Jeer (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Held up mid-division, headway on outer over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Polish Power (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp (4) gs.
Kaateb (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct beating Tommy Toogood (9-9) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Lisathedaddy 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leader over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, ridden to challenge from 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 6, 1/2l behind Art Man (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Quince (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, always behind, 12th of 14, 10l behind Emperor Court (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Putra Square 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, weakened 3f out, 15th of 16, 34l behind Ezdiyaad (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.
