led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, faded inside final furlong
travelled strongly, prominent, led on bit over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, ran on
led 1f, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden along halfway, never nearer
outpaced, headway entering final furlong, nearest finish
outpaced
The betting suggested ESCALATING would go close last time having been recently gelded and he duly obliged. There may be more to come from him and he’s preferred to another recent course and distance winner in Sir Billy Wright. The above pair beat both Dungannon and Lady Nayef when recording their respective recent wins but the latter re-opposes on better terms, though has yet to score in this high a grade. The Big Lad beat Dungannon here in January and is only 2lb higher but the remainder look to have a tough task in this company.
Red Baron (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, never on terms, last of 11, 12 1/4l behind Robot Boy (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Sir Billy Wright (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Raced far side, chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden and ran on well final furlong, won at Southwell 5f hcp (3) pol in Feb beating Distant Past (9-7) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Lady Nayef 7-2 (9-1) Led, headed 3f out, close up, led again 2f out, soon ridden, headed entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Escalating (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Dungannon 9-2 (9-1) Held up, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind Escalating (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Extrasolar 125-1 (9-6) Held up in touch, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 13 3/4l behind Handsome Dude (9-7) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
New Road Side 6-1 (9-8) Chased leader, pushed along and every chance halfway, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Just Us Two (9-10) at Newcastle 5f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Saved My Bacon (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Behind and outpaced, last of 7, 5 1/4l behind Top Boy (9-3) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
The Big Lad 5-1 (9-7) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway on outside when impeded over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Zipedeedodah (9-7) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Mysterious Look 11-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Archimedes (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Escalating 2-1fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, headway 2f out, switched left entering final furlong, soon ridden, kept to lead last 75 yards, won at Southwell 5f hcp (3) pol in Feb beating Crosse Fire (8-2) by 1l, 8 ran.