slowly into stride and held up in rear, ridden along over 5f out, never troubled leaders
towards rear, reminders soon after start, ridden along over 6f out, some late headway but never reached challenging position
prominent, reminders after 5f, behind over 6f out
held up behind leaders, led over 3f out, soon clear, easily
prominent, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, reminders over 6f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden over 5f out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden along and headway over 4f out, driven and one pace final 2f
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, one pace final 2f
Legend Erry, Directa's Digger and Ronsard make most appeal in this handicap and we will forward Legend Erry as the one to beat. The selection was well supported in the market before landing a handicap in impressive style last time. He is an imposing type who is open to further progress and he should prove hard to beat. Directa's Digger rates the main danger and he has shown plenty of promise so far in his short racing career without being able to trouble the judge. He is a German import and it would be no surprise to see him go well. Ronsard has been running well of late and he sees out every yard of this trip so he can go well for each-way players. Tioga Gold is a course and distance winner and he also makes some each-way appeal. However, there was plenty to like about Legend Erry's performance last time and he looks a sound bet to go in again.
Ronsard (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Started slowly, in rear, stayed on final 2f, never nearer, 7th of 12, 8l behind Young Scotton (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Optimistic Alfie 33-1 (9-10) Held up, effort over 3f out, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 13l behind Diamond Key (8-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Directa's Digger (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, every chance over 2f out to over 1f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 4th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Harry The Hawk (10-12) at Newcastle 1m 4f amt hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Legend Erry (IRE) 5-2 (8-11) Prominent went second well over 3f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec beating Bernabeu (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Scaramoushca 20-1 (9-2) Led to over 3f out, stayed prominent until weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off, 9th of 11, 33l behind Legend Erry (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
History Prize (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Always towards rear and no chance from over 2f out, 8th of 10, 10l behind Royal Premier (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Aqua Pura (GER) 12-1 (9-4) Led, pushed along over 8f out, reminders over 7f out, headed over 6f out, soon weakened, tailed off final 4f, 8th of 9, well behind Box Builder (9-7) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (F) fbs in Feb '04.
King of Connacht 20-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden along over 4f out, some late headway, never troubled leaders, 5th of 11, 15l behind Dart (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn aut stk (6) fbs in Dec.
Tioga Gold (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 7f out, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 13, 10l behind Lady Pilot (9-7) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Apr.
Isa'af (IRE) 50-1 (8-5) Close up, headway over 7f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 22l behind Hugs 'N Kisses (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Park's Prodigy 11-2 (7-12) In touch, headway 6f out, lost place over 4f out, no danger after, 6th of 12, 10l behind Bugsy's Boy (8-11) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
