held up, ridden 3f out, never nearer
always in rear
close up, pushed along 3f out, driven and hung left from over 1f out, chased winner 1f out, kept on same pace
pulled hard in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, set steady pace, ridden and quickened pace 3f out, driven out
tracked winner, ridden 3f out, one pace final furlong
held up, never trouble leaders
always towards rear
Esthlos can complete a hat-trick at the expense of Dichoh and Councellor, with Future's Dream also worth a mention. Some in-form individuals line up against each other here, with preference for Esthlos who is equally at home on the all-weather and Turf. His latest victory at Newcastle, where he took it up two furlongs out before running on strongly, suggests that he is well up to defying a penalty. Dichoh bombed out badly in the Lincoln, but forget that run as he was never going a yard on the tacky ground, and he is much better judged on his two winning efforts over today's course-and-distance. He is a pound worse off with Councellor for the first of those victories, but should still maintain the form. Future's Dream bounced back with a forceful performance here at the end of last month and should go well for a long way, but we reckon that he and the rest have it to do to stop Esthlos from completing a hat-trick.
Vacation (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Outpaced far side, headway over 1f out, led far side group inside last, no chance with stand's side group, 6th of 19, 12l behind European Dream (8-13) at Newcastle 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Freeloader (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Prominent, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 11l behind Gentleman's Deal (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Dec.
Dichoh 10-3fav (9-1) Chased leaders stand's side group, weakened over 2f out, 17th of 19, well behind European Dream (8-13) at Newcastle 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Councellor (FR) 11-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, led over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, driven to hold on near finish, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar beating Electric Warrior (8-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Future's Dream 4-1 (9-2) Made most, ridden over 2f out, ridden clear well over 1f out, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar beating Luckylover (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Esthlos (FR) 7-1 (8-6) Held up, headway over 3 out, led over 2f out, drew clear final furlong, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar beating Mustajed (8-11) by 3l, 16 ran.
Davenport (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Mid-division, staying on when not much room over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 5l behind Esthlos (8-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar.
Ahlawy (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) Ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 17, 7l behind Exit Smiling (8-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
