towards rear and outpaced, ridden over 1f out, kept on
prominent, ridden to go 2nd inside final furlong, kept on to lead close home
chased leaders, ridden entering final furlong, soon weakened
chased leaders on outer, lost place 2f out
held up towards rear, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
very slowly away, in rear, some headway over 2f out, never a threat
held up in mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace
led, ridden inside final furlong, headed close home
A fit and firing Esteem Machine would take plenty of beating here, but recent efforts have hardly been encouraging and we will take him on with ESPY, while at the weights you couldn't rule out the likes of Bentley, Obe Gold, Doctor Hilary or Not My Choice. As it is, we will side with Espy, who has been prepared for the races by Ian McInnes, and the trainer has decided to apply cheek pieces to his charge for the first time here. The gelding won a similar contest over course and distance two starts ago, when he had Bentley and Obe Gold behind in receipt of 5lbs from both. He is now 1lb better off with those rivals today and we can put a line through his last run at Kempton as he is much better here. Obe Gold got the better of the selection in a Lingfield seller earlier in the month and is 1lb worse off today for the neck margin, so they are weighted to finish close to each other, and Paul Howling's charge could emerge the leading danger. Not My Choice won a Southwell seller last time and is consistent enough for one in this grade, though previous efforts here leave him with a bit to work on. Doctor Hilary won a handicap over course and distance last month and is interesting in a selling race for the first time. He has to be considered now back in form, but preference is for Espy.
Bentley 28-1 (9-13) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Espy (9-8) at Wolverhampton 6f sell stks (6) pol in Feb.
Obe Gold 2-1 (9-4) Prominent on outside, pushed along halfway, chased winner over 2f out, no impression final furlong, eased when held well inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Flores Sea (8-12) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Titus Gent 12-1 (9-1) Towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Sherjawy (8-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Albaher 9-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, outpaced and hung right 2f out, soon beaten and eased, last of 5, 20l behind Boho Chic (8-7) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Doctor Hilary 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, all out, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb beating Romantic Queen (9-2) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Espy 9-2 (9-6) Always in rear, 7th of 8, 7l behind Valentino Swing (9-8) at Kempton 6f clm stks (6) pol in Feb.
King's Sabre 13-2 (8-13) Led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 9l behind Harting Hill (9-3) at Kempton 7f Handicap (0-58) (4yo+) (6) pol in Feb.
Monsieur Harvey 14-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, driven over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 5l behind Albero Di Giuda (8-9) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.
Not My Choice (IRE) Evensfav (9-8) Led, headed over 4f out, remained with leader, led again 2f out, soon hung left driven out, won at Southwell 6f sell stks (6) fbs in Feb beating Bo McGinty (9-8) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Esteem Machine (USA) 3-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leader and keen, led after 2f, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 13l behind Little Pete (9-12) at Kempton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Feb.
Brazilian Brush (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Slowly away, in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous, last of 9, 16l behind Pipers Piping (8-11) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Feb.
