mid-division, ridden to challenge and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, every chance when edged left over 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong
in rear after 2f and ridden along, some late headway on inner over 1f out, never troubled leaders
held up, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced
started very slowly, in rear 2f, ridden and some progress over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leader to 3f out, soon under pressure, weakened 2f out
led until headed just over 1f out, gradually weakened
in touch, headway to lead when hung left over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong, comfortably
behind, ridden and outpaced 3f out, never dangerous final 2f
War Artist, Bonus and Lovelace make plenty of appeal in this wide open contest to open the card and the vote is given to War Artist. The selection is a lightly-raced 5-year-old who has got some fair form in South Africa and he could be up to making a winning British debut today. The market will be a guide but if the vibes are positive then he could be worth supporting from the plum draw. Bonus finished third behind Excusez Moi at Lingfield last time but he is stepped-up in trip today which is not sure to suit and he has a far from ideal draw. Mark Johnston has his string in sparkling form at present so Lovelace is worth considering on his all-weather debut. He has a good draw and can go well, but if the market speaks in his favour it could pay to side with War Artist.
War Artist (AUS) 10-1 (9-1) Showed his class, won at Clairwood 6f Grp 1 gd in Jul beating Rebel King (9-1) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Lovelace 16-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 15, 9l behind Miss Lucifer (8-12) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Bonus (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Mid-division, ridden, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Excusez Moi (9-0) at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Feb.
Baby Strange 14-1 (9-0) Jumped slowly, always in rear, 9th of 12, 8l behind Excusez Moi (9-0) at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Feb.
Capricorn Run (USA) 9-1 (9-0) Always in rear, 11th of 12, 5l behind Dansant (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (1) pol in Feb.
Councellor (FR) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leader until over 2f out, kept one pace, 7th of 12, 4l behind Alfresco (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb.
Evens And Odds (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) With leader, ridden 2f out, held when hampered, snatched up inside final furlong, not recover, 8th of 12, 6l behind Excusez Moi (9-0) at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Feb.
Jack Sullivan (USA) Evensfav (9-6) Keen, tracked leader after 2f, ran wide into straight well over 1f out, soon led, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m stk (3) pol in Feb beating Alfresco (9-0) by 1l, 6 ran.
Neardown Beauty (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Switched left soon after start, held up in rear, switched right over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 4l behind Atlantic Story (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.