towards rear, never a factor
in touch, reminders halfway, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
dwelt and towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
held up behind leaders, smooth headway 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, was one pace final furlong
always rear division
mid-division, ridden along and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
HIGHLY REGAL is the selection here ahead of Barataria and Flores Sea. The selection is in superb form of late, completing a hat-rick at Kempton last time out. The four-year-old looks much improved in blinkers and with a rise in the weights failing to hinder his progress, the extra 5lb shouldn't ruin his recent run of form. Barataria has been doing well at Southwell and was a course and distance winner in December. The gelding will be running off a career high mark today but has ran well previously over a mile at Southwell. Flores Sea comes from an in-form yard. The gelding's three career wins have been on left-handed tracks and his last race looked to be a blip. The five-year-old is much better than his current form shows so could be worth another chance. Dudley Docker was a course and distance winner here back in April of last year. He is noted for being a quirky individual for whom things need to drop perfectly. This should prove to be a fairly tight contest, but for the winner we return to Highly Regal.
Dudley Docker (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up, always towards rear, last of 8, 8l behind Ravi River (9-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Feb.
Flores Sea (USA) 11-8fav (9-4) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 5l behind Obe Royal (8-10) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Penchesco (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) In touch, lost place over 2f out, 8th of 13, 8l behind Pension Policy (8-10) at Great Leighs 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Barataria 17-2 (8-13) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, edged left entering final furlong, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind More Time Tim (9-2) at Southwell 1m app hcp (5) fbs in Feb.
West End Lad 5-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 6, 5l behind North Parade (9-3) at Southwell 1m clm (6) fbs in Feb.
Hilbre Court (USA) 9-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 2nd of 8, 3l behind More Time Tim (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Highly Regal (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, driven out, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb beating Fine Ruler (9-1) by 1l, 9 ran.
Jebel Tara 13-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Mocha Java (8-3) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
Downhill Skier (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Took keen hold to lead, ridden along over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind More Time Tim (9-2) at Southwell 1m app hcp (5) fbs in Feb.
Lord Theo 50-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace, 10th of 11, 11l behind Abbondanza (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
