soon led, ridden over 2f out, driven and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, kept on
prominent, ridden over 2f, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden along 3f out, driven and kept on final furlong
held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace
held up, headway on outer over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
In a small yet competitive field for this standard of contest last time out course winner PAINT SPLASH can take advantage of weight in his favour while Solo Choice shouldn't be too far away along with My Best Man. The selection took that over the shorter trip of seven furlongs but won going away suggesting the extra shouldn't be a problem. It is true that contest has so far proved to be weak but the three-year-old seems to have been allotted a fair mark on his handicap debut. Solo Choice has claims after an improved display on polytrack last time out. The form from his debut effort, here over seven furlongs, has worked out well producing winners but since then his own form has been shaky and he has to concede weight to his main rival. My Best Man has been plying his trade over sprint distances so far and showed some aptitude for fibresand last time although it's difficult to know if he'll get the trip. Lady Salama is reappearing after 102 days off the racecourse and has a small claim but her only win so far has come over six furlongs so we go with course form and Paint Splash.
Solo Choice 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Open Sesame (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 1f 3yo mdn aut (6) pol.
Miss Fritton (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Lexlenos (8-13) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (6) pol in Dec.
Lady Salama 20-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden and some headway 2f out, never near leaders, 5th of 9, 17l behind Amber Sunset (9-4) at Catterick 7f 2yo fll hcp (4) gs in Oct.
My Best Man 7-2 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway on inner over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 6l behind My Sweet Georgia (9-1) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) fbs.
Paint Splash 6-1 (8-1) Dwelt, soon in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear, eased inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Southwell 7f 2yo sll (6) fbs in Dec beating Kneesy Earsy Nosey (8-7) by 5l, 9 ran.
Tae Kwon Do (USA) 15-2 (9-2) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never on terms, 8th of 12, 17l behind Recession Proof (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.