chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 4f out
reared start, held up towards rear, headway over 7f out, ridden over 6f out, weakened well over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up and behind, headway going well from over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on
chased leader, ridden over 7f out, led over 3f out, edged left entering final furlong, headed well inside final furlong
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders from 5f out, went 2nd 3f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, stayed on
held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, some headway over 2f out, never in contention
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened
in rear, ridden over 4f out, soon struggling, tailed off
Nonrunner
The seven pound penalty may stop Melvino following up a recent victory and so this may rest between Desert Hawk and Regency Red and preference is for the last named. Mark Brisbourne's old-timer has been a model of consistency this season and ran a good race behind Melvino last time out. A five pound pull in the weights should be enough to reverse that form and he can gain an overdue success. The selection's stable companion Desert Hawk was successful over a shorter trip here in February and made a satisfactory return when fourth behind Qualitair Wings. He will strip fitter this afternoon and will relish this extra distance. Recent winner Cool Isle is another worthy of respect, but Regency Red has best overall profile and he gets the verdict.
Caragh Mia (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Hallings Overture (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Regency Red (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Melvino (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Royal Premier (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride and always in rear, 12th of 14, 12l behind Wee Charlie Castle (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Desert Hawk 8-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Qualitair Wings (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Nov.
Cool Isle 12-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, led 1f out, soon drew clear, won at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Nov beating Khanjar (9-6) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Strife (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Soon behind and pushed along, always in rear, 10th of 11, 25l behind Pop Music (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Nov.
Melvino 4-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Opera Writer (9-3) by 2l, 8 ran.
Art Historian (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Mid-division, hung left and no impression from well over 1f out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Little Richard (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcap (6) std.
