prominent, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, chased leaders after 1f, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led 2f, led again over 1f out, ridden and soon clear
prominent when fell halfway
chased leaders, slightly hampered halfway, not a danger after
slowly into stride, soon outpaced
in touch over 3f
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, kept on one pace
jumped awkwardly, soon outpaced, never nearer
soon outpaced
Alexander Hurricane has a progessive profile and can take this on his way up the handicap, while Decider, Tenancy and Blackheath can all help to make him work for it. The selection has won three from four starts, his only defeat coming here over six furlongs last month. He was far from disgraced that day though and on this slower surface than where his Wolverhampton wins have come, the drop back to the minimum trip should help him get home in front, defying a penalty in the process. Decider was a winner at Dunstall Park last time and is up 5lb here for that win. He has won over 5f but a bit further looks to be his optimum. Blackheath comes here on a hat-trick after five and six furlong successes but he has to prove he handles this surface as well as Wolverhampton and looks opposable today. Tenancy is up 3lb after a 6f win here last time out and he is not quite as effective over shorter so we will overlook him this time. Earl Compton is probably best of the remainder but Alexander Hurricane is going the right way and can blow them away here.
Alexander Huricane (IRE) 11-8fav (8-8) Made all, led, shaken up over 1f out, soon clear, driven out, comfortably, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Figaro Flyer (9-1) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Owed 18-1 (8-11) Chased winner until entering final furlong, soon ridden and no extra, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Garlogs (8-12) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Decider (USA) 11-4 (8-4) Made all, driven out, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb beating Cape of Storms (9-1) by 1l, 9 ran.
Earl Compton (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Went right start, held up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no response, last of 4, 7l behind Doubtful Sound (9-8) at W'hampton 5f clm (5) pol.
Blackheath (IRE) 11-10fav (9-1) Always prominent, led over 1f out, pushed out, won at W'hampton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb beating Bahamian Bay (8-11) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 13-8 (8-12) Tracked winner, raced keenly, ridden 2f out, soon hung right, no impression, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Another Genepi (8-12) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Jan.
Tenancy (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Jan beating Blakeshall Quest (8-7) by a hd, 9 ran.
Pappas Image 12-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 7l behind The Geester (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Piccleyes 10-1 (9-0) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 14, 20l behind Wodhill Schnaps (9-0) at Southwell 7f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Jun.
Jabraan (USA) 66-1 (7-11) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, 7th of 8, 13l behind Garlogs (8-12) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.