pulled hard, soon pressed leader, led halfway, headed when hung left and bumped winner well inside final furlong, no extra
raced wide, soon pushed along in rear, ridden and struggling over 2f out
chased leader early, stayed in 3rd, pushed along well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
took keen hold early, held up towards rear, good headway on inside well over 1f out, chased leader 1f out, led, edged right and bumped well inside final furlong, ran on
led until halfway, chased leader until 1f out, no extra
took keen hold, held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, struggling when hung right and ran wide straight
dwelt, took keen hold early, held up, headway on inside over 2f out, ran on to take 3rd 1f out
A very moderate start to the card where SWEET AVON might be good enough to defy a 7lb rise and follow-up her Kempton win, while Micky's Knock Off and England can both go well. The last-named made the frame at Lingfield last time in what was not the hottest of maidens, and makes his handicap debut from a mark of 63. This trip looks ideal for now and perhaps the slower surface here might help, but he has to prove himself on it and we will oppose. Micky's Knock Off is interesting tried in a first-time eye shield, and Richard Guest's gelding is well worth another try over this trip, having previously only made two attempts, and staying on well in the second of those. He is now almost a stone below his rating of only three months ago and has to be considered a threat. With the Jeremy Glover team in great shape a market check is very much advised for Cookie Galore, who comes here fresh and is racing over what should be an ideal trip. Even so, preference is for Sweet Avon. Matthew Salaman's filly did all her best work at the business end when scoring over this trip at Kempton, and although unproven on this circuit, her evident stamina over further can hopefully see her to good effect on this slower surface and we'll side with her.
Micky's Knock Off (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, effort on outside and ridden well over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Lewyn (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
England (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, pushed up to track leading pair raced keen, ridden 2f out, led 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Mint Whip (8-6) at Lingfield 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Sweet Avon 7-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, in touch, switched right after 1f, not clear run and eased out left just over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Feb beating Exceed Power (8-10) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Lady Hetherington 40-1 (8-12) Held up in mid-division, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 11, 15l behind Bebopalula (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Cookie Galore 8-1 (8-13) Held up, stayed on from over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Blue Neptune (9-2) at Kempton 5f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
True Red (IRE) 40-1 (8-0) Chased leader, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 9l behind Texas Queen (8-7) at Wolverhampton 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Dolly Will Do 9-1 (8-4) Held up in rear, took keen hold, hampered on inside after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon not pace of leaders, 4th of 10, 9l behind Sweet Avon (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Feb.
Miss Polly Plum 66-1 (8-12) Pulled hard and prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 12, 15l behind Dream On Buddy (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
