prominent, led halfway, ridden edged right and ran on final furlong
in rear, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, kept on, never going pace of leaders
awkward start, soon prominent, ridden and hung right over 1f out, kept on one pace
prominent stands side, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden halfway, no impression
led, ridden and headed halfway, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no impression
Despite some concern surrounding the drop in trip LOVE DELTA is the selection to get the better of Lucky Mellor and Boogie Waltzer. It could be another good day for Mark Johnston as this colt chases the four-timer with every chance of catching it. He's shown a liking for this surface in easily landing a couple of handicaps before advertising his versatility in landing the hat-trick at Kempton. It seems likely this surface will prove his favourite, so the only major concern is that he steps back to the minimum for the first time here. However, the colt has shown pace in leading here previously and could be hard to pass when push comes to shove. Lucky Mellor has no questions to answer with regards the trip having landed a couple of course and distance races. He's 6lb's higher than for the last of them but has gone close off this mark elsewhere since, so if he improves as expected for returning to Southwell he may not be handicapped out of this. Boogie Waltzer completes the shortlist having won here two starts ago. She was beaten into second off this revised rating of 65 last time and this may be a better race, but she could improve for returning to Fibresand and the handicapper has not been harsh in his treatment of the filly. Breathless Kiss has been generously dropped a couple of pounds for a solid run last time and could do better still, particularly as her breeding offers hope she'll act here on her first attempt, so she's of more interest than Best Trip who may not be quite so suited by the Fibresand surface. Barlaman looks sure to want further and Transfixed is exposed as modest, so we'll go back to Love Delta who is the one to beat.
Love Delta (USA) 2-1fav (9-7) Chased leaders, effort on outside 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan beating Italian Tom (9-4) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Lucky Mellor 5-2 (9-7) Took keen hold, pressed winner over 1f, remained close up, ridden to regain 2nd entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, no impression, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Athwaab (8-7) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Breathless Kiss (USA) 11-4 (9-3) Slowly away, held up in 5th, improved on outside to press winner 2f out, no impression and lost 2nd entering final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Athwaab (8-7) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Best Trip (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Last to break, soon tracking front pair, chased winner over 1f out, no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Breathless Kiss (8-11) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Dazeen 5-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, driven over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, last of 4, 1 3/4l behind Mr Grinch (9-6) at Newcastle 6f nov med aut stk (4) gf in Aug.
Ramamara (IRE) 13-8fav (8-5) Led, ridden and edged left over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Marjolly (8-4) at Kempton 6f 3yo clm stks (5) pol in Jan.
Barlaman (USA) 7-2 (8-10) Dwelt soon pushed along to narrow lead, headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 2 1/2l behind Ghazwah (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Boogie Waltzer 13-8fav (8-5) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 2f out, soon hung right, stayed on well close home, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Texas Queen (8-13) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Transfixed (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Led, ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Niran (9-8) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
