took keen hold, soon held up in touch, went 2nd going well over 2f out, shaken up to lead 1f out, comfortably
broke well, soon held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd well inside final furlong
led early, prominent, not clear run briefly on inside and switched right over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, led well over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, stayed on same pace
ridden leaving stalls, soon led, hanging right on bend over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
niggled along, always towards rear
Kheley ran well off this mark last time and merits respect but our confident vote goes to DIAPASON. Tom Dascombe's filly is up 8lb for a course success last time but with conditions ideal and a lack of strength in opposition she looks banker material here. She is lightly raced and remains well treated on the pick of her maiden form, so connections will be disappointed if their likely favourite is turned over despite the drop back to six furlongs being of slight concern. Despite a winless run Kheley remains the biggest threat to our selection. She ran well enough when second last time and rates a player with her mark unchanged. Dean Heslop lessens the burden through his claim, so if she can find a little more from somewhere an upset could be on the cards. We're far from convinced she will though and so the four-year-old is opposed. Loose Caboose is arguably better at five furlongs so despite the fact the yard are flying she'll be vulnerable late on, whilst similar comments apply to Leading Edge who is only 4lbs higher than her latest win but looks held here. White Shift looks opposable in her current mood despite the fact that she's best at this trip and with Berrymead racing from half a stone out of the handicap this looks a straightforward task for Diapason, who gets our strong vote.
Diapason (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec beating Sir George (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Leading Edge (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Always in rear, last of 11, 12l behind Perfect Act (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
White Shift (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Always in rear, 9th of 11, 6l behind Absa Lutte (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Kheley (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) In touch, effort 2f out, chased winner final furlong, stayed on well, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Raimond Ridge (8-7) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Loose Caboose (IRE) 18-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden and effort 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong, 7th of 13, 7l behind Charles Parnell (8-9) at Southwell 6f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Berrymead 20-1 (8-9) Reared start, slowly away, in rear, never a factor, 8th of 11, 8l behind Pocket's Pick (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
