led after 1f, joined over 5f out, ridden and headed narrowly 1f out, stayed on gamely
held up in touch, improved to join leader over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, led narrowly 1f out, headed post
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, outpaced over 2f out, soon switched right, driven and headway entering final furlong, stayed on to lead post
dwelt in rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on, not pace to challenge
Nonrunner
SHADOWS LENGTHEN looks the one to be with in this handicap and he gets the vote over Calculating and Boundless Prospect. Mick Easterby's 4-year-old is a course specialist who arrives here looking to record his seventh win on the spin. He won with plenty in hand last time out and although he has more on his plate on these terms, he looks progressive and he can win again. Calculating is dropped in trip which should not be a problem as he led everywhere bar the line at Wolverhampton last time when he finished second behind Sheshali. He has been in the money on 23 of his 37 starts on the all-weather and this course and distance scorer should be capable of finishing in the first three again. In contrast, Boundless Prospect is upped in trip and his last run has worked out quite well so he is certainly one to consider. Dart was only narrowly beaten by Russian Music here last month but she has had a busy time of late and the handicapper may now be catching up with her. There are plenty who arrive here in form, but none more so than Shadows Lengthen who gets our vote.
Shadows Lengthen 11-4fav (9-1) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, forged clear final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan beating Kingsdale Orion (8-9) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Calculating (IRE) 7-2 (8-8) Led after 1f, set steady pace, quickened approaching 2f out, soon 3 lengths clear, caught post, 2nd of 7, hd behind Sheshali (10-0) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Victory Quest (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) With leader, lost place over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 6, 31l behind Dart (9-3) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
Mehendi (IRE) 9-4fav (8-8) Held up behind, ridden well over 2f out, no impression until stayed on under pressure from over 1f out, switched inside and led well inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 3f app mdn stks (6) fbs in Jan beating Look Officer (8-5) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Greenbelt 11-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge well over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Highland River (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 2-1 (8-4) Held up in touch, took closer order halfway, ridden along over 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f, took 2nd close home, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Friends Hope (8-4) at Southwell 1m 3f clm stks (5) fbs in Jan.
My Friend Fritz 11-4fav (8-8) Tracked winner, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 10l behind Shadows Lengthen (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Dart 9-4fav (10-2) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3f out, challenged 2f out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner inside final furlong no impression, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Russian Music (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
