tracked leader until ridden and outpaced halfway
soon led, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
dwelt pushed along in rear, never on terms
prominent, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
ridden along in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on, nearest finish
raced wide prominent, led 3f out, soon ridden, driven clear final furlong
A tight handicap but FLUCTUATION could prove the safest option. He just prevailed over C&D last time having covered plenty of ground from his high draw and is fancied to land a hat-trick at the chief expense of Andiamo Via. The latter has been in fine form at this track of late winning two of his last three starts and looks sure to be in the firing-line again as he has the beating of Mazovian on collateral form, while Piceno is another to consider on his close-up second here last month. Striker Torres has just the one win in over two years now and Alpha Tauri is better in plating company.
Piceno (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind Shifting Star (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Alpha Tauri (USA) 100-1 (8-0) Short of room soon after start and dropped to rear, never a factor, 7th of 9, 9l behind Woolfall Sovereign (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Jan.
Striker Torres (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Led over 1f, chased leader, ridden and looked to hold every chance over 1f out, weakened towards finish, 5th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Faithful Ruler (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f sell stks (6) pol.
Fluctuation (IRE) 10-3 (9-8) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, soon clear, driven out to hold on near finish, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan beating Caledonia Prince (8-8) by shd, 14 ran.
Andiamo Via 7-2fav (8-7) Prominent, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, stayed on to lead final strides, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan beating Greenhead High (8-11) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Mazovian (USA) 10-1 (8-8) Led, ridden 3f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, just held on to 2nd, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Myboyalfie (9-5) at Southwell 7f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.