in rear, ridden and outpaced home turn, plugged on from 2f out
chased leader, pushed along and outpaced 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, held on for 2nd
held up, pushed along and struggling 6f out, tailed off
made all, increased tempo 3f out, went clear final furlong, never in any danger
chased leader, pushed along and weakened 2f out
Pons Aelius has been raised 6lb for winning over track and trip on his handicap debut and Love Mystery and Thermometer were both placed on their latest starts with the former stepping up in trip along with OCEAN RULER. The latter was demoted for interference having passed the post first over 1m2f at Lingfield on his reappearance but, with this extra distance expected to suit, James Tate’s charge gets the vote. Geelong disappointed at Bath having made a winning debut here earlier and has been gelded since.
Geelong (FR) 5-1 (9-9) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace thereafte, 6th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Nader (9-2) at Bath 1m 2f stks (5) gf in Oct.
Love Mystery 6-4fav (9-7) Dwelt, keen raced wide tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Show Lights (9-3) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Ocean Ruler 12-1 (8-7) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, rallied gamely and hung right to lead again final strides (finished 1st, placed 3rd), won at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Homeric (8-7) by shd, 6 ran.
Pons Aelius (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) Handy on inside, pushed along over 2f out, led entering final furlong, comfortably, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Mar beating Myriad (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Thermometer (IRE) 22-1 (8-12) Close up, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Down To The Kid (9-0) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Apr.