held up in rear, headway well over 1f out, never reached leaders, no impression
ridden to chase leaders, lost place over 3f out, behind over 2f out
ridden to gain prominent position, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, soon squeezed out by front pair, no extra
tracked leader, ridden, edged left and led entering final furlong, slightly bumped by winner when headed near finish
in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, never dangerous
travelled well in touch, challenged over 1f out, soon edged right, led near finish
Milton Bradley's 10-year-old Cape Royal still retains enthusiasm for the game and has finished in the frame in each of his last two starts but a place is probably the best connections can hope for here in a race taken to go DESPERATE DAN, who gets the vote with Misaro rated the best of the remainder. The selection has been running consistently well in claimers of late but resumed winning ways when returned to handicap company at the beginning of the month when landing a contest over course and distance. The Andy Haynes-trained gelding has solid claims of following up that success back in a claimer today and gets the vote to do so and give weight away all round. Gay Kelleway's Kingsgate Castle has shown improved form in handicaps of late and cannot be discounted but he is better over six furlongs than the minimum trip. Derek Shaw's Monte Major ran on well when landing a handicap here two starts ago and was not disgraced in another handicap behind Ridley Didley last time. Misaro has struggled against the handicapper of late but the drop to this grade gives him every chance off his weight but a better bet looks to be Desperate Dan, who can win again now dropped down to a claimer.
Desperate Dan 8-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, switched right over 1f, effort entering final furlong, stayed on to lead final strides, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Ingleby Star (8-13) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Norse Warrior (USA) 20-1 (9-2) Mid-division, outpaced 2f out, never on terms, 9th of 12, 5l behind Sherjawy (8-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Wavertree Princess (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Chased leaders over 3f, last of 12, 21l behind Saddlers Bend (8-7) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp (0-50) (7) pol in Feb.
Cape Royal 7-1 (9-2) Disputed lead until over 1f out, driven and stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Restless Genius (8-12) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb.
Misaro (GER) 5-1 (9-8) Chased leader 4f, edged left over 1f out, kept on under pressure final 100 yards, 4th of 8, 4l behind Valentino Swing (9-8) at Kempton 6f clm stks (6) pol in Feb.
Kingsgate Castle 7-4fav (8-13) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Hollow Jo (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Monte Major (IRE) 9-4 (8-12) Chased leaders, effort 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead post, won at Wolverhampton 5f sell stks (6) pol beating Bo McGinty (9-0) by hd, 9 ran.
Stash 10-1 (9-0) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 1f out, last of 9, 18l behind Monte Major (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f sell stks (6) pol.
