mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and beaten over 1f out
started slowly after rider late removing blindfold, always behind
always prominent, not clear run over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed last strides
mid-division, headway over 2f out, not much room well over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
prominent, ridden and every chance 1f out, faded well inside final furlong
soon niggled along, always in rear
in rear, pushed along briefly over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, no headway
held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, soon behind
soon pressing leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, ran on
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
in touch, ridden when edged left well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead last strides
Ermine Grey, Bobering and Shaheer are the three for the shortlist in this handicap and the vote goes to Ermine Grey. The selection finished fourth behind Not Now Lewis at Kempton last time, and the second in that race Having A Ball is due out at Southwell today. If he goes well then it will give the form a boost, but even so, he has plenty in his favour and he looks the one to beat. Bobering was an eyecatcher here last time and he does go well at this venue, so he is an obvious contender today if he can build on his most recent run. Shaheer has plenty of ability but he is struggling off this mark and his chance wasn't helped by a slow start at Kempton last time. Norwegian is a course and distance winner and he looks the best of the others, but for the winner we will stick with Ermine Grey.
Shaheer (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Anticipated start, soon tracked leader, effort well over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Lough Beg (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Korty 14-1 (8-9) Raced keenly, prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place and weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 10, 17l behind Golden Square (8-0) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Ermine Grey 4-1jt-fav (8-12) In touch, ridden and outpaced 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Not Now Lewis (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Norwegian 11-2 (8-11) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, slightly hampered soon after, switched right over 1f out and one pace, 4th of 11, 8l behind Morbick (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Nassar (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Keen, prominent, chased leader 3f out, led narrowly 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 14, nk behind Comeintothespace (8-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Mar.
Rotuma (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Princely Ted (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
Floodlight Fantasy 8-1 (8-11) Chased leader until over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 12l behind Still Dreaming (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Bobering 3-1fav (8-1) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Jarvo (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Steel Grey 15-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 9th of 14, 17l behind Contra Mundum (9-6) at Southwell 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Jan.
Ponte Vecchio (IRE) 7-2fav (8-12) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Megalala (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Joe Jo Star 8-1 (9-7) Close up, raced wide, headway under pressure over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Mountain Climb (9-0) at Bath 1m Stks (41-45) (7) frm in Apr.
