led 2f, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f
held up, never a factor
in touch on inside, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
soon pushed up to go prominent, led after 2f, clear 8f out, pushed along 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
prominent, pushed along 5f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on
held up in last pair, headway on inside over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
always in rear, never a factor, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f
Nonrunner
WEALD OF KENT went within a head of landing a hat-trick of course and distance victories last week. Dropping down a grade for this, Mike Appleby's charge looks the one to beat on that form. Virnon was a long way behind the selection last time and has now run poorly either side of winning here in January and Swift Cedar has failed to figure since scoring over 1m3f at the track in December. An import from Ireland, Be My Sea ran well at Wolverhampton on his first start for Tony Carroll and could figure if handling the surface while Lean On Pete is back on a winning mark.
Virnon 7-2 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 18 3/4l behind Play Nicely (8-13) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Weapon Of Choice (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led, took keen hold, pressed from 3 out, ridden before last, kept on and hung right run-in, headed last 100 yards, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Rock A Doodle Doo (11-9) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Lexington Bay (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Raced wide in touch, ridden and outpaced 9f out, behind from 5f out, last of 8, dist behind La Estrella (9-12) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Weald Of Kent (USA) 11-2 (8-7) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 5, hd behind Play Nicely (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Be My Sea (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Held up in touch, pushed along over 3f out, led over 1f out, soon headed, no extra, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Walpole (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Horseguardsparade 9-2 (9-2) Held up, headway to chase leading pair over 4f out until over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 25 1/4l behind Virnon (8-13) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Stand Guard 66-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 10l behind Fern Owl (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Lean On Pete (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Midfield, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on strongly closing stages, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Tangramm (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Swift Cedar (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) In rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Dakota City (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Feb.