chased leaders, ridden to lead entering final furlong, flashed tail, ran on
steadied start, held up in rear, some late headway, never nearer
chased leaders over 4f
chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, behind final 2f
slowly into stride, soon in rear, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on
held up mid-division, ridden, headway over 1f out, soon one pace
towards rear, ridden, headway over 1f out, never nearer
led, ridden, headed entering final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, raced wide, headway halfway, ridden, every chance entering final furlong, unable to quicken
soon behind
tracked leaders over 4f
Pinchbeck was good value for his win in a handicap over course and distance three weeks ago but the Michael Jarvis-trained gelding faces a stiffer task at the weights today and preference is for Desperate Dan, who gets the vote ahead of Cummiskey. The last mentioned is relatively unexposed but will not find it easy giving weight away all round, particularly to stablemate Desperate Dan who won with any amount in hand here over five furlongs last week and has an obvious chance at the weights assuming that he stays the extra furlong and does not bleed again (has done in the past). Radiator Rooney is marginally preferred to Money Mate of the two three-year-olds but it is never easy for the classic generation at this time of year and a greater threat is likely to come from Paul Blockley's Wessex, who is better than he showed at Wolverhampton last time. Rafferty, who finished ahead of Wessex that day, is another to consider but Desperate Dan won so easily here last time that he is taken to score again.
Cummiskey (IRE) 7-2fav (9-4) In touch, swished tail and chased winner over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Graze On (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Jan.
Desperate Dan 2-1fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, led inside final furlong, easily, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan beating Efistorm (8-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Pawan (IRE) 7-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, behind and outpaced, switched left 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 9, 7l behind Desperate Dan (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Pinchbeck 9-2 (9-2) Held up, headway and switched right over 1f out, led inside last, ridden out, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan beating Majik (7-11) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Rafferty (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Lead early, chased winner, ridden to challenger over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 11, nk behind Wahoo Sam (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Wessex (USA) 6-4fav (9-4) Held up, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 11, 3l behind Wahoo Sam (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Money Mate (IRE) 8-1 (8-0) In touch, led 3f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Prettilini (8-9) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Jan.
Radiator Rooney (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed, not quicken final 100 yards, 2nd of 12, nk behind Didn't We (8-10) at Lingfield 6f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
