prominent, ridden halfway, soon weakened
led, headed over 5f out, ridden and weakened 3f out
always in rear
chased leaders, chased winner over 4f out until 2f out, ridden and stayed on well
prominent, pulled hard, led over 5f out, ridden out
held up, headway to chase leaders 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, never dangerous
dwelt, headway to chase leaders over 5f out, ridden to chase winner 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
always in rear
in rear, pushed along over 3f out, kept on final 2f, not reach leaders
A tough race to call here for punters with many in form rivals in opposition but the principals look to be King Nicholas, Wessex and Mister Benji and the tentative vote goes to King Nicholas. The selection was an unlucky in running third behind Aventura last time out and he remains on a fair mark and looks sure to have the race run to suit. Mister Benji rates the main danger on his latest second behind Pawn In Life but he just gave the impression the handicapper had caught up with him on that occasion and for that reason he is passed over. Wessex won well last time out when beating Air Mail but that was in a seller and this looks tougher so he will need to improve to score. Beauteous is another that could go well now that he returns to this surface but he looks to have plenty of weight. Of the remainder Game Guru is from a shrewd yard and should be noted in the market but in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to King Nicholas.
King Nicholas (USA) 5-1 Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, nk behind Aventura at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (E3) pol in Jan.
Aventura (IRE) 11-2 Held up, ridden 3f out, headway 2f out, one pace, 5th of 11, 7l behind Crail at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (E3) pol in Jan.
Wessex (USA) 7-4fav Dwelt, soon prominent, led over 1f out, pushed clear, won at Southwell 7f sll (G4) fbs in Dec beating Air Mail by 7l, 13 ran.
Quiet Reading (USA) 3-1fav Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 14l behind Paso Doble at Southwell 1m hcp (F4) fbs in Dec.
Mister Benji 10-1 Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Pawn In Life at Southwell 1m hcp (E3) fbs in Jan.
Blue Patrick 10-1 Held up, ridden and headway 4f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Kingston Harbour at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (E3) fbs in Jan.
Sorbiesharry (IRE) 8-1 Took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 4l behind Plausabelle at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (F4) pol in Jan.
Beauteous (IRE) 6-1 Led, ridden over 3f out, headed 1f out and kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Double Ransom at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (E) gd in May.