in touch, ridden over 3f, driven to challenge and every chance over 1f, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f, driven and kept on final furlong
took keen hold to lead soon after start, clear after 4f when saddle slipped, headed well over 1f, no extra final furlong
held up behind leaders, smooth headway over 2f, led well over 1f, ridden out final furlong
started slowly and behind, chased along over 4f, headway over 1f, stayed on towards finish
towards rear, ridden over 4f, one pace final 2f
There's a trappy look to this apprentice handicap and caution is therefore advised, but the narrow vote goes to BENEDICT SPIRIT, while My Friend Fritz and Chookie Hamilton could both go close. The Mark Tompkins-trained selection has two course wins to his name, over a mile and then last time out over 1m 3f. He struggled off marks around this when tried over this trip on turf last year, so there is a bit to prove, but perhaps this surface will enable him to show better this time and we will take that chance. My Friend Fritz also loves it here, and he has two course and distance wins to his name, plus victory over 1m 6f last time. He carries a 6lb penalty for that win today and he has struggled when put up over 70 before so he too has to show improvement and with his yard in form that is not impossible. Prince Golan has won on both a sound surface and heavy ground on turf, with his only non-turf win coming on the Polytrack. With this surface not appearing to suit on one previous try, plus stamina doubts we will take him on. A better proposition looks to be Chookie Hamilton, who has trip and surface to suit and has won off higher marks in the past, so can't be discounted. Similarly, Bienheureux has numerous wins from marks higher than today's 49, and with his pilot's 5lb claim and a course and distance win as positives, he could go very close. As we said at the top it is trappy, but we'll just side with Benedict Spirit.
My Friend Fritz 7-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders and keen, led 4f out, ridden and under pressure over 1f out, kept on, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Dart (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Chookie Hamilton 9-1 (9-6) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 11l behind Precision Break (9-11) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Prince Golan (IRE) 15-2 (8-4) Slowly into stride, held up and keen, good headway to take closer order over 6f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Quick Off The Mark (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Dec beating Gayanula (8-3) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Bienheureux 9-2 (8-13) In rear, switched right and headway to chase leaders 5f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 6th of 10, 5l behind Spume (8-10) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Head To Kerry (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 15l behind Jenny Soba (8-13) at Warwick 1m 3f app hcp (6) sft in Sept.
