chased leaders, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace
behind, outpaced before halfway, some late headway, never dangerous
prominent, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, stayed on under pressure, not pace of winner
slowly into stride, held up in mid-division, headway halfway, soon ridden to challenge, every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, soon every chance, weakened final furlong
dwelt, always behind, eased 2f out
led until over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, soon ridden and beaten
held up in mid-division, ridden before halfway, soon beaten
held up in touch, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left, ridden out
PENDRAGON hasn't had a great deal of racing recently and built on his return run back from a lengthy break with victory last time and a similar effort should be enough to land this handicap with Border Owl and Elusive Flame very much respected. Despite pulling up over timber after an encouraging return from over a year out the selection showed he still has the ability with victory over course and distance last time. He wasn't stopping when claiming that course and distance win and with a little more likely he can overcome his four pound rise in the weights. Border Owl scrapped home in an apprentice race last time he's up three pounds for that run but with his jockey allowed to use his claim this time he still might be able to mount a challenge. Elusive Flame has been pretty consistent since scoring in November but despite a pound removed from his back after a rare poor effort last time the handicapper still looks in charge. Transmission is more than capable on his day but is also still above his last winning rating so looks best left for now and Bahiano is interesting from a yard very much in form. It's a race that makes us as nervous as a long tailed cat in a rocking chair factory so Pendragon is just our best suggestion.
Transmission (IRE) 7-1 (7-13) Prominent, chased winner 4f out until weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 5l behind Bel Cantor (8-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Feb.
McConnell (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 5l behind Gallantry (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Elusive Fame (USA) 5-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 13l behind Trans Sonic (7-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Feb.
Just Five (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Held up, badly hampered over 5f out, not a danger after, 7th of 8, 17l behind Espero (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Street Devil (USA) 33-1 (9-2) Led, joined halfway, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 17l behind Benedict Spirit (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Bahiano (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Raced stands side mid-division, 7th of 10, 10l behind Thunder Gorge (9-0) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Border Owl (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) Made all, ridden 3 lengths clear over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Southwell 1m app hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Miss Bootylishes (9-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Shame The Devil (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Chased leaders on outside, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 8, 20l behind Shernando (8-8) at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) fbs in Feb.
West End Lad 25-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 7l behind General Tufto (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
Pendragon (USA) 11-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, ridden hung left and led over 1f out, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m hcp (0-55) (6) fbs in Feb beating Fitzolini (9-2) by 1l, 13 ran.
