held up towards rear, good headway to lead over 4f out, headed over 2f out, one pace
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on
held up behind, never a factor
slowly into stride, headway 5f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, kept on, no extra towards finish
tracked leader, led 2f out, hard ridden to regain lead inside final furlong, held on well
led, headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Jonathan Jay has been sending out plenty of winners from limited runners this winter and his CARLTON SCROOP was impressive enough in victory last time to suggest a follow and while he remains our pick Kings Icon will be a real threat with Amical Risks also selected after he too won on his last start. With two wins in his last three runs in and not out of the frame in eight starts in this code since reappearing it's fair to say the pick is in rude health. He was driven out to win comfortably at Kempton on his last start and with him just as effective on this surface we feel he can deny a penalty. So too though could King Icon who was also finding life easy on his last run. That came over a slightly shorter trip which he seems more suited to but after such an easy success he looks worth trying again over this far. Amical Risks is up four pounds in the handicap after only just scrapping home over course and distance last time and that rise might just stop him while we also consider New World Order, who is steadily returning to form and has gone close off this rating in the past. It's a tricky end to the day but Carlton Scroop is the most consistent in the line-up and gets the call.
Wee Ziggy 40-1 (9-6) In rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 13, 25l behind Broughtons Point (8-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Hammer 8-1 (8-9) Steadied start, held up in rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 3l behind Amical Risks (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f app hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Mullitovermaurice 14-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 6f out until over 5f out, beaten when tightened up well over 1f out, 4th of 10, 7l behind King's Icon (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Sparkaway 6-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 12, 18l behind Leyte Gulf (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Amical Risks (FR) 4-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, all out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f app hcp (0-55) (6) pol beating Blackstone Vegas (8-7) by shd, 9 ran.
Lady Mickataine (USA) 22-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden and kept on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 13, 7l behind King Of Connacht (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Sweet Request 40-1 (7-12) Tracked leaders, challenging well over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 25l behind Sir Boss (9-10) at Chepstow 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Carlton Scroop (FR) 9-4fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on inside from 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Little Sark (8-7) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
King's Icon (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Dajen (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
New World Order (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Led after 1f, ridden 2f out, kept on until headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace after, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Turjuman (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Drum Major (IRE) 50-1 (7-12) Behind until driven and stayed on from over 1f out, nearest finish, 6th of 14, 7l behind Franco Is My Name (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.