keen tracked leaders, pushed along and unable to quicken 2f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and inside final furlong, stayed on
in touch, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
slow into stride, in touch in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and kept on towards finish
Three of these won their latest starts with SPRING IS SPRUNG (NAP) preferred. Michael Bell’s colt was returning from a lay-off and making his handicap debut when successful over track and trip and should remain competitive despite a 6lb rise. Both Definitive Force and True Jem are upped in class having won on the Tapeta but Navello faces an easier task than when second of only three runners at Wolverhampton. Amber Dew won in this grade on the Turf last year but has switched yards since while Lucky Man’s only success so far came over the minimum trip.
Navello 11-10fav (9-2) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 3, 3l behind El Caballo (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f stks (2) pol in Dec.
Spring Is Sprung (FR) 11-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, closed over 2f out, led and edged right from over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 6f hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Fearless Angel (9-9) by 2l, 5 ran.
Amber Dew 9-2 (8-13) Raced alone more towards centre, led, hung right from 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 1 3/4l behind Ribhi (9-4) at Salisbury 6f stks (2) sft in Sep.
Lucky Man (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Keen held up, hampered 4f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, not quite reach leaders, 3rd of 10, nk behind Kodias Sangarius (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
True Jem (FR) 15-2 (9-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4f out, led over 1f out, edged slightly right, ridden out, won at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Ringo Starlight (9-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Definitive Force (IRE) 22-1 (9-4) Held up in last trio, headway 2f out, ridden just over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, took lead inside final 50 yards, just got up, won at Newcastle 6f (5) pol in Nov beating Westmorian (9-8) by nk, 13 ran.