in touch, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, driven, stayed on
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, not trouble leaders
always in rear
close up, ridden to chase leader 3f out, soon every chance, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden halfway, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden and led approaching final furlong, ridden out
chased leaders to halfway
raced wide, chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace from over 1f out
slowly into stride, keen and held up, ridden halfway, kept on inside final furlong
led until halfway
Another tricky contest and a narrow vote is given to Only If I Laugh, Mount Royale and Wilford Maverick could be the main dangers. Graham Gibbons rode a superb race to get the selection home against today's rival Mount Royale at Wolverhampton last time and he is back on board again this afternoon. After taking up the running just before the final furlong he just had to be pushed out for a comfortable success. There was probably more in the tank and he can confirm that form on today's terms. Wilford Maverick rarely runs a bad race and again performed with credit when third behind Auentraum at Wolverhampton another big run can be expected. The best of the remainder could be Penel, but there could be plenty more to come from Only If I Laugh and this one gets the decision.
Only If I Laugh 4-1fav (9-0) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol beating Mount Royale (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Prince of Gold 8-1 (9-2) Rear, not clear run over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Only If I Laugh (9-0) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol.
Justcallmehandsome 11-10fav (8-4) Chased leaders, hampered and stumbled badly over 3f out, not recover, 9th of 10, 21l behind Penel (8-11) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.
Mount Royale (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, ran on same pace, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Only If I Laugh (9-0) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol.
Favouring (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Prominent, pushed along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Zorn (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Penel (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Held up, headway when not clear run over 3f out, switched right, soon outpaced, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on close home, 2nd of 13, nk behind Mount Royale (9-3) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs.
Wilford Maverick (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Auentraum (8-11) at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol.
Wings Of Morning (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Soon towards rear, 10th of 13, 17l behind Golden Spectrum (9-2) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.
Aboustar 16-1 (8-8) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Sundried Tomato (8-11) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs.
Massey 8-1 (8-13) Led over 3f, 10th of 14, 9l behind Hello Roberto (9-9) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs.
St Ivian 5-1jt-fav (8-12) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Hello Roberto (9-9) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs.
