made all, clear over 3f out, pushed out
slowly into stride, outpaced
chased winner, struggling from halfway
chased winner, struggling from halfway, weakened over 1f out
in rear, ridden, headway over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
Maktavish has an obvious chance at the weights in this grade and is hard to oppose in a race where the main dangers looks to be Byo and Sir Sandrovitch. The last mentioned is capable of playing a part but has not been at his best of late so may be best watched. Lady Bahia has given little sign of encouragement since landing a similar contest at Wolverhampton in March, while Hellbent faces a stiff task at the weights. Kurl Burke's runners in this grade always warrant respect although his representative here He's A Rocket is difficult to recommend on recent evidence and a bigger threat is likely to come from Byo. Paul Howling's gelding has run with credit in better races than this of late and the eight-year-old looks the most likely winner should Maktavish have an off day. Ian Semple's gelding ran a blinder behind the useful Fyodor at Wolverhampton last time though and a reproduction of that effort should be more than enough to see off his rivals here.
Maktavish 25-1 (8-2) Led, ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 7, 3l behind Fyodor (9-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Sir Sandrovitch (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on outer, hung left, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 4l behind Mind Alert (8-10) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Byo (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Up Tempo (9-13) at W'hampton 6f clm (5) pol in Feb.
Hellbent 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 5l behind Hello Roberto (9-4) at Southwell 5f banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.
He's A Rocket (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Led for 1f, pressed leader to over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 8l behind Native Title (9-13) at Lingfield 5f clm (6) pol in Feb.
Lady Bahia (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Led after 1f, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 7th of 10, 5l behind Native Title (9-13) at Lingfield 5f clm (6) pol in Feb.