held up, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on
held up, stayed on from over 1f out, never reached leaders
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and not quicken well inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden and not much room over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left and weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
always behind
chased leader to 3f out, soon weakened
Top-weight Millagros is not without a chance in a wide open handicap, but we will take a chance with Easy Laughter, with Augustine also expected to run well. Alan King's five-year-old hasn't raced on the flat since November but has been kept busy over hurdles. The pick of his all-weather form was a victory at Wolverhampton over nine furlongs. Today's trip is probably just testing his stamina but it is weak affair and he may last home. Augustine has been in great form recently and has finished runner up to two progressive types. He should again be there or thereabouts. Millagros returns to the scene of his January victory following a couple of modest runs over hurdles and cannot be discounted. The best of the rest could be Stagecoach Emerald, but Easy Laughter looks the pick of the weights today and this one gets our vote.
Millagros (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Held up, behind, headway when not much room 1f out, ridden to lead close home, won at W'hampton 1m 4f fll hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Tranquilizer (8-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Easy Laughter (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up in mid-division, headway 3f out to chase winner 2f out until inside final furlong, one pace under pressure, 4th of 16, 6l behind Wise Owl (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Sand Repeal (IRE) 10-3 (8-12) In touch, ridden to chase winner 2f out, soon no impression, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Greenbelt (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Young Mick 6-4fav (8-5) Held up, towards rear from over 2f out, switched right, good headway final furlong, stayed on well towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 13, hd behind Parkview Love (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Augustine 5-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, hard ridden inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 12, shd behind Merrymadcap (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Seattle Robber 9-1 (8-11) Held up and behind, not clear run over 1f out, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 7l behind Merrymadcap (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Rare Coincidence 7-2co-fav (8-9) Led 1f, chased leader until 8f out, ridden and weakened over 5f out, last of 7, 39l behind Isa'af (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (5) fbs in Jan.
Smoothie (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) In rear, headway over 4f out, chased winner over 2f out until no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 5l behind Sovereign Spirit (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
