chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along and effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, in touch, weakened over 2f out
always behind
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and weakened 2f out
behind, under pressure over 2f out, some late headway, never nearer
held up, mid-division, smooth headway over 2f out, quicken to lead over 1f out, ran on strongly
A quality handicap where several can be given a good chance and from a shortlist of FLOWING CAPE, Tourist, Bajan Tryst and Thebes, it is the first mentioned who gets the nod. Reg Hollinshead has a talented horse in this Cape Cross gelding and he seems to run this track exceedingly well. He has a nice pull in the weights with Tourist for half a length on their run here last month and a very bold bid is anticipated. The aforementioned Tourist has been flying of late and chases the hat-trick; a 6lb higher mark in a better race may just find him out however. Shifting Star is talented, as is Ebraam who probably needs to come down the handicap a notch or two. Imprimis Tagula has flown up the handicap for a successful winter and is a great advert for the yard, but again he looks in the grip of the grader. Bajan Tryst was gifted the race on his comeback; he has been at his best fresh before so a quick reappearance off a 7lb higher mark is a big worry. Thebes is a course and distance winner; he normally contests the big handicaps so this might not be the main aim but respect is afforded regardless. Orpsie Boy and Flipando are considered, but the vote in a cracking handicap goes to Flowing Cape.
Imprimis Tagula (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 9, 11l behind The Scorching Wind (8-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Ebraam (USA) 9-2 (9-4) Dwelt, soon pushed along in rear, never on terms, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Nickel Silver (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Tourist 6-1 (8-4) Steadied start, held up in touch going well, headway halfway, led 1f out, ran on, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Jan beating Imprimis Tagula (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Shifting Star (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Chasing leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, staying on when not clear run and eased towards finish, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Tourist (8-8) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan.
Flowing Cape (IRE) 11-1 (8-4) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 11l behind Tourist (8-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Jan.
Bajan Tryst (USA) 3-1fav (9-3) Made all, clear 2f out, unchallenged, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan beating Indian Skipper (8-13) by 4l, 6 ran.
Thebes 5-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Fullandby (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Orpsie Boy (IRE) 17-2 (9-4) Held up, mid-division, effort on inside over 1f out, soon no room, not a danger after, 12th of 13, 5l behind Autumn Blades (10-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jan.
Flipando (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced 3f out, never on terms, 9th of 13, 13l behind Sovereign Remedy (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Oct.