made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on
dwelt tracked leaders, pushed along 5f out, dropped to rear over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
keen tracked winner, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, headway to chase winner approaching final furlong, soon switched left, no impression
raced wide close up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
Four-time course winner Star Ascending has been brilliantly-placed by Jennie Candlish to win four in a row but he didn’t need to be at his best to score at Lingfield last time and the ensuing 9lb rise leaves him vulnerable to the even more progressive COMPATRIOT (NAP) who has won both starts for Olly Murphy with masses in hand at Wolverhampton. Given that the horse he beat last time, Sunshineandbubbles, franked the form with a runaway success at Wolverhampton earlier this week, he is undeniably well-treated under a 6lb penalty and surely only a failure to act on the surface could prevent the hat-trick. Eight-time course winner Luv U Whatever - 3-5 over this course and distance - remains in good order and is always dangerous to discount at this venue but was beaten off a 4lb lower mark on his last visit here.
Luv U Whatever 11-1 (9-5) Led over 11f out, joined 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased winner after, well held but battled on to hold 2nd, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Native Fighter (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Sonnetist 12-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, soon held up in mid-division, ridden and no headway final 2f, 10th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Native Fighter (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Star Ascending (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, stayed on, led towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb beating Sky Marshal (9-7) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Compatriot (IRE) 8-15fav (9-3) Tracked leader until went on over 6f out, going well when switched right to centre of course over 1f out, not extended, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb beating Sunshineandbubbles (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Oceanus (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) In touch, driven over 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, never able to challenge, 5th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Star Ascending (9-13) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb.