always towards rear, tailed off from 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 5th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed after last, not pace of winner
mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
mid-division until 3 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced after 5th, stayed on again from 2 out
held up rear, some headway after 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
led, clear after 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, one pace from next
held up and always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, steady headway from 5th, tracked leader and going well after 2 out, shaken up to lead after last, readily
The vote here goes to Berengario ahead of Twenty Degrees, Signature Tune, Kinkeel and Ho Ho Hill. The selection gets the narrow vote because he has proven that he goes well here - both of his wins have come at the track - and he has fairly recent form at around today's mark which, to us, makes him competitive today. Twenty Degrees has to be considered although he does not always find too much under pressure. Signature Tune could be fancied if you ignore a disappointing run last time, as he looked to be improving the time before. Seaniethesmuggler won at Market Rasen but has been beaten in a handicap since, while Kinkeel would hold claims on his Irish form but is a bit hard to assess. Cullen Road has become disappointing of late, but Ho Ho Hill battled bravely last time and that type of attitude could see her get amongst the money. With the others having something to prove, Berengario who holds solid enough credentials and who holds a liking for the track, gets the vote.
Twenty Degrees 10-3 Held up, headway to chase leaders when mistake 3 out, not quicken from next, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Vivid Imagination at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Feb.
Berengario (IRE) 14-1 Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, well behind Alikat at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Feb.
Signature Tune (IRE) 3-1fav With leader, hit 3rd, led 4 out, mistake and headed next, weakened quickly before 2 out, 6th of 7, 37l behind Misbehaviour at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Jan.
Seaniethesmuggler (IRE) 14-1 Chased leader until lost place approaching 3rd, reminders next, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Fishki's Lad at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
Brigadier Benson (IRE) 25-1 Mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 33l behind Double Header at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Kinkeel (IRE) 7-1 Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd briefly 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 8, 16l behind Almier at Leopardstown 2m nov hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Ho Ho Hill (IRE) 13-8fav Held up, headway 6th, led after 2 out, soon ridden, no extra when headed close home, 3rd of 7, nk behind Mrs Philip at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Sticky Wicket 66-1 Mid-division, mistake 6th, soon weakened, 11th of 14, well behind Penneyrose Bay at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (D) gs.
