held up, ridden and improved 2f out, pressed winner from over 1f out, unable to quicken near finish
in touch, short of room over 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f
with winner, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, effort and edged left approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened and soon beaten 2f out
Blacktoft, Credential and Zed Candy are the ones to concentrate on here, and last time out winner Blacktoft is taken to defy top weight. Credential only needed to be pushed out to score over the course and distance two outings ago before finishing second over a slightly longer trip here last time. Today's trip is more in his favour and he can go well. Zed Candy has won two of his last three starts, both over the course and distance, although his most recent effort was below par. He is taken on because of that. Blacktoft won in game style last time at Lingfield over a furlong shorter trip. He needed every yard that day and this extra furlong should suit. He is seven pounds higher, but is consistent, and Blacktoft can score again.
Blacktoft (USA) 5-2fav (8-11) Steadied start, headway over 1f out, ran on well to lead on line, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating Berkhamsted (8-11) by a shd, 9 ran.
Xpres Maite 6-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Prince Tum Tum (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Credential 9-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Beldon Hill (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (5) fbs in Jan.
Wee Charlie Castle (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Slowly into stride, switched left over 1f out, late progress, 8th of 14, 5l behind Amwell Brave (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Zed Candy (FR) 15-8fav (8-12) Keen, chased leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Hilltop Destiny (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Greenbelt 8-1 (8-8) Pushed along and outpaced behind, 9th of 12, 12l behind Luckylover (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
Ace Baby 125-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 13l behind Chief Scout (9-7) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct.