held up in rear, took keen hold, not clear run, switched left and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon slightly outpaced, ran on inside final furlong to take 3rd post
held up in rear, always behind
held up in rear, not clear run and headway well over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
held up towards rear, took keen hold, pushed along over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
disputed lead 1f, prominent, ridden 2f out, edged right well over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
in touch, ridden well over 1f out, squeezed through inside final furlong, kept on
led 1f, always prominent, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
in touch, lost place over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, disputed lead 1f, tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, faded towards finish
Nonrunner
The hat-trick seeking SHAKE ON IT looked value for much further than the official winning margin last time, so he's selected to go in once more ahead of Achromatic and Alfredtheordinary. Jamie Jones once more takes the ride and this pair have done well over today's course and distance, winning twice, and a mandatory 6lb penalty might not prevent the follow-up. The rider only had to push his mount out to score cosily last time and with conditions ideal he should be followed until beaten. The handicapper refuses to drop Achromatic in the ratings despite the fact he's been well enough beaten of late, but Walter Swinburn's horse has often looked up to this sort of mark and remains lightly-raced enough to warrant respect so he's put forward from Alfredtheordinary as best of the rest. Mick Channon's five-year-old has a big pull in the weights with our selection after taking fourth behind him last time, but we're confident the form can be upheld as our pick, the likely favourite, looked to have another gear if needed. Head First is a winner here and ran well enough last time, although maybe the handicapper will need to relent slightly, so of more interest is the unexposed Ryker who was well-backed last time. John Hills' horse disappointed that day but better can be expected here. Kirstys Lad makes marginally more appeal than Grey Command of those at bigger prices, but it'd be folly to discount old-boys Climate and Libre, both of whom still run respectably. Spring Fashion is a relative newcomer to the handicap ranks and should be capable of improvement whilst Lady Longcroft should improve on her run last time, but neither arrives in anything like the form of our selection, Shake On It.
Shake On It 3-1fav (8-10) Held up mid-division, headway on bit over 2f out, wandered over 1f out, soon hard ridden and every chance, ran on to lead post, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Mackintosh (8-3) by hd, 11 ran.
Alfredtheordinary 11-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, never nearer, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Shake On It (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Climate (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 9l behind Chosen Forever (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Ryker (IRE) 15-8fav (9-3) Broke well, prominent, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Champagne Fizz (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec.
Lady Longcroft 14-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 20l behind Chosen Forever (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Head First 5-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 1l behind Make Amends (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Achromatic 8-1 (8-11) Held up, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Winning Show (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Royal Society 10-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 12l behind Make Amends (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Grey Command (USA) 15-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind King Of Connacht (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Spring Fashion (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 24l behind Kames Park (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Libre 20-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Chosen Forever (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Kirstys Lad 6-1 (8-5) Soon led, ridden and edged right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 9, 1l behind Chia (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Terminate (GER) 25-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, 10th of 12, 15l behind Edas (10-8) at Musselburgh 1m 1f am hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct.
