slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, never dangerous
held up, headway on outside 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
off the pace towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
led, ridden well over 1f out, headed just over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd
chased leader, pushed along halfway, lost 2nd 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, went 2nd 3f out until ridden 2f out, kept on into 2nd again inside final furlong
chased leaders on inside, pushed along halfway, ridden and weakened over 2f out
outpaced towards rear, reminder 4f out, ridden and struggling over 2f out, never on terms
HELLBENDER rarely wins nowadays but went close to doing so at Lingfield a fortnight ago having slipped down the weights. A dual course and distance winner in 2013, he looks set for a return to the winner's enclosure. Novalist is another with claims having beaten Trust Me Boy six lengths here back in December. The latter went on to score over track and trip but is 8lb higher today. Lendal Bridge was placed on this surface before scoring at Wolverhampton last month while Stun Gun has won here before but is upped in class for this.
Game Mascot 9-2 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden halfway, never a factor, 10th of 13, 11l behind Be Royale (8-8) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Hellbender (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Close up, effort entering final furlong, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Beggers Luck (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Pick A Little 7-1 (9-6) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Mambo Spirit (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) in Feb.
Novalist 6-1 (9-4) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 10l behind Telegraph (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) in Feb.
Red Explorer (USA) 11-2 (9-4) Went right start, led early, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, not much room over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Methaaly (9-1) at Bath 6f app hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Sep.
Trust Me Boy 16-1 (9-6) Chased leaders early, soon lost place, eased over 1f out, 13th of 14, well behind Rock Charm (9-3) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Feb.
Lendal Bridge 5-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led and hard pressed from over 1f out, stayed on, held on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f am hcp 0-60 (6) in Feb beating Estibdaad (10-12) by hd, 13 ran.
Elite Freedom (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden 2f out, never near leaders, 6th of 9, 5l behind Telegraph (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) in Feb.
Stun Gun 7-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Shearian (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-52 (6) fbs.