mid-division, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, soon hung left and kept on
sowly into stride, mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
led over 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace
led, headed over 4f out, remained close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
towards rear, not much room over 4f out, hung right from over 2f out
slowly into stride, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden halfway, ridden to lead near finish
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
held up, ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
pulled hard, chased leaders, short of room and stumbled over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong
always in rear
chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden clear 1f out, headed near finish
This has the look of a difficult handicap rather than a banded contest and Fox Covert is a narrow choice to beat Union Jack Jackson and Sergeant Slipper. David Barker's five-year-old looked in need of his recent run here behind Bahamian Bay and is better judged on his course and distance effort in November when second behind Dellagio. If back to that sort of form he would have a very good chance in this company. Union Jack Jackson showed improved form to chase home Sundried Tomato here last month and if he continues that progression he should be there or thereabouts. Sergeant Slipper is not the force of old but showed last time that he is still capable of picking up a small race. In a wide open contest Cleveland Way and Headland also have claims on the pick of their form, but after much deliberation Fox Covert is just given the nod
Headland (USA) 9-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Fizzy Lizzy (8-11) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
Laurel Dawn 80-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Bahamian Bay (8-8) at Southwell 5f banded stk (7) fbs in Mar.
Massey 25-1 (8-11) With leader, led halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 12l behind Favouring (9-0) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Mar.
Misty Princess 20-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ran on inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Auentraum (9-3) at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
Obe Bold (IRE) 4-1fav (8-11) In touch, ridden halfway, kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Percy Douglas (8-10) at W'hampton 5f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
Princess Arwen 66-1 (8-11) Prominent, hampered after 1f, soon lost place and behind, 8th of 13, 8l behind Auentraum (9-3) at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
Sergeant Slipper 33-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden halfway, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Straffan (8-6) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.
Union Jack Jackson (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Hampered start, headway 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Sundried Tomato (8-11) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Mar.
