held up in rear, ridden along, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
soon led, headed after 2f out, remained in touch, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, effort when weakening over 2f out
prominent, ridden along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, ridden along over 2f out, headway, switched right over 1f out, kept on final furlong
in touch, led after 2f, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
A hot contest by the track's standards and Rio Riva is selected in preference to Very Wise and Silver Hotspur. Rio Riva comes to this race fresh off the back of a recent fourth in the Lincoln handicap at Doncaster and if acting on the surface, he sets a fair standard for the rest to follow. Very Wise was 11th on that day. He is however, 5lbs better in this afternoon but we discount him as this track is likely not to play to his strengths. Silver Hotspur has proved a lucrative runner to follow over the winter. Now with Vince Smith, he has continued to progress and will need to again in order to win this race. Party Boss is a course winner and has to be respected accordingly. Kabeer has struggled of late off similar marks. Benandonner ran a respectable second in the Spring Mile at Doncaster but has a lamentable record on the artifical surfaces thus far. Regal Parade is 1 from 1 here and is watched in the market. Red Cape has demonstrated his better form at Lingfield and looks to have it to do. A race that would happily grace any Saturday programme and we side with Rio Riva.
Rio Riva 17-2 (9-0) Raced far side, held up, headway under pressure over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well, 4th of 21, 2 1/2l behind Smokey Oakey (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Party Boss 3-1jt-fav (9-4) With winner, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 7, 8l behind Monkey Glas (8-10) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Red Cape (FR) 28-1 (8-8) Chased leaders stand side, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 17, 17l behind Pusey Street Lady (8-5) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Mar.
Very Wise 11-1 (9-0) Led stand side group and overall leader, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened, 14th of 21, 18l behind Smokey Oakey (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Silver Hotspur 4-6fav (9-10) Chased leader and keen, led well over 1f out, kept on well, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar beating Divertimenti (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Kabeer 25-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, pushed along 4f out, soon struggling, last of 10, 43l behind Millville (9-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Regal Parade 33-1 (9-2) Raced far side, held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 21, 12l behind Don't Panic (9-8) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Benandonner (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Raced far side, tracked leaders, led that group 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, no chace with stand side, 2nd of 21, 4l behind Don't Panic (9-8) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.