tracked leader, challenged when carried towards stands side rail over 2f out, soon ridden, led narrowly over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish
tracked leading pair, switched outside and driven over 5f out, soon ridden and no chance with leaders, tailed off
dwelt badly, behind and in touch after 1f, struggling over 5f out, no chance with leaders after, tailed off
led, hard pressed when came towards stands side over 2f out, soon ridden, headed narrowly over 1f out, edged left and kept on inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
Mr Burbidge drops back in trip in search of his fifth straight win. He scored easily over 2m here last time and is certainly the one to beat despite a penalty, though connections will be hoping one or more of today's rivals will set a decent pace. Handicap debutant Summerfree may do so and Phoenix Flight took up the running early when fourth on his latest visit to this venue. But hold-up horse MONZINO, well beaten by Mr Burbidge here last time, has a chance of taking revenge given he found only one too good over course and distance last month and Michael Chapman's charge gets the vote.
Mr Burbidge 2-1fav (10-0) Went right start tracked leader, led 4f out, came centre and clear over 2f out, eased final furlong, comfortable, won at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec beating Yasir (9-8) by 8l, 5 ran.
Phoenix Flight (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Dwelt, in rear, pushed along over 4f out, weakened well over 3f out, last of 8, 36l behind Princess Caetani (9-7) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Sep.
Monzino (USA) 10-1 (9-2) Slowly away in touch in rear, pushed along 6f out, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, 4th of 5, 13l behind Mr Burbidge (10-0) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Summerfree (USA) 10-1 (9-5) Led until ridden 2f out, soon lost 2nd and kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Great Fighter (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.