behind, effort over 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, weakened over 2f out
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, rallied to soon lead again, all out
held up, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, soon headed, not quicken
held up mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, one pace final furlong
Pigeon Flight did not beat a great deal when making a winning return in a Yarmouth maiden earlier this month and Michael Bell's gelding faces no easy task stepped up further in trip on his handicap debut with preference for Always Best, who gets the vote ahead of Colditz. The last mentioned lost no caste in defeat on his return to turf when a creditable second at Catterick at the beginning of the month and David Barker's gelding has to be respected off just a 1lb higher mark today. Stringsofmyheart is lightly raced and warrants respect but may just be a shade high in the weights, while President Dan may do better now sent handicapping but is hard to back on the evidence of his three previous runs. The Mark Tompkins-trained Force Group is not certain to get this far but could be well treated if he does stay and preference is for Always Best. Mark Johnston's gelding is only 1lb worse in with Colditz on their running at Catterick and with further improvement to come on only his second start over this trip he looks capable of following up.
Pigeon Flight 6-4fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon led and hung left, stayed on under pressure, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f mdn aut stk (6) gf beating Wassendale (8-4) by 1l, 4 ran.
Always Best 4-5fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf beating Colditz (9-4) by a nk, 3 ran.
Colditz (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Held up, switched right 2f out, ran on and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 3, nk behind Always Best (9-3) at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
President Dan 20-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, effort over 2f out, soon outpaced, 4th of 7, 6l behind Cry Presto (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Mar.
Stringsofmyheart 11-4 (7-13) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along to race mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, wandered under pressure, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Moon Empress (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo.
Force Group (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 8th of 12, 5l behind Majestic Cheer (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
King of The Beers (USA) 11-2 (8-13) Mid-division, chased leaders over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, kept on same pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 7l behind Paymaster General (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
My Sara 8-1 (8-8) Mid-division, jinked after 2f, not recover, 9th of 12, 9l behind Its Moon (9-3) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) gf.
Greek God 11-4fav (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 7l behind My Sara (8-6) at Southwell 1m 3yo mdn hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
