held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway 5f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in touch, hampered and lost place 5f out, ridden and weakened 3f out
prominent, led after 3f, ridden and hung left over 2f out, weakened and headed 1f out
led, headed after 3f, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hanging left under pressure
keen, in rear, headway over 2f out, running on, just failed
mid-division, not clear run and hampered and lost place over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on
prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened and eased
mid-division, edged right 5f out, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened well inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, driven out
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 2f out
RELATIVE STRENGTH is a sporting choice in this wide open handicap. Red Merlin, Sgt Shultz and Plaisterer are others worth bearing in mind. Plaisterer is on the upgrade and appears to be getting better with each outing. Alan Munro knows the horse well and the partnership shouldn't be underestimated. Sgt Shultz faces a tough ask on these terms. But he is consistent and, as he is well treated in comparison to his all-weather rating, a big run can be expected. Red Merlin finished last season on a high and created a favourable impression on his reappearance 10 days ago. That outing will have sharpened him up and he is a worthy alternative to the selection. However, Relative Strength, who was a convincing winner in each of his first two starts as a three-year-old, takes the eye as the least exposed contender in the line up. Andrew Balding's horses are running well just now and this fellow looks an interesting contender for middle distance handicaps of this nature.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Raced keenly in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 9l behind Hatton Flight (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Hawridge King 16-1 (9-6) In rear, some late headway from 2f out, never nearer, 11th of 16, 16l behind Spirit of Adjisa (8-11) at Bath 1m 4f hcap (4) gs in Oct.
Trachonitis (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Always behind, never near leaders, 12th of 16, 13l behind Times Vital (8-10) at Newbury 1m 4f hcap (4) gd in Sep.
Cyborg 5-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, well behind Daylami Dreams (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Relative Strength (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Held up, pushed along 5f out, ridden 4f out, hung left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Sweet Lightning (9-9) at Chester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Red Merlin (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Steaded start, raced keenly in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, not reached leaders one pace, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Haarth Sovereign (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Plaisterer 11-2 (8-11) Led, headed over 2f out, flashed tail and weakened quickly over 1f out, 5th of 6, 27l behind Precision Break (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 5f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Dr Brass 40-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 11, 26l behind Laurel Creek (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Feb.
William's Way 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Director's Chair (10-8) at Doncaster 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gd in Mar.
Run For Ede's 16-1 (8-3) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 4l behind Wellington Square (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Hammer 14-1 (8-8) Tracked winner to 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 10l behind Eseej (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
