tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders in 4th, led 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on well
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression
held up towards rear, never dangerous
in rear, ridden inside final furlong, one pace
led, headed final furlong, one pace
tracked leaders, kept on final furlong
Nonrunner
In a really decent handicap it might be worth siding with Mark Johnston's PERPETUALLY, who's open to plenty of improvement, ahead of the on form December Draw and consistent Thunderstruck. After making an encouraging handicap and polytrack debut when retuning from an absence last time the pick should come on for that run leaps and bounds. This will be the first time that he's been able to turnout again quickly and we fully expect that to be of benefit as well. December Draw has been on top form since the turn of the year winning over a furlong less at Lingfield two starts back. Flanking that run is a couple of near misses the latest over course and distance but he's up again in the weights despite not winning, which is just enough to put us off. Thunderstruck was only beaten a head off this mark last time so has to rate as a live contender while Officer In Command has a chance after a couple of great runs. Drogba hasn't had much racing recently but has a chance at building on his last effort however Perpetually is open to all kinds of progress and gets the nod.
Perpetually (IRE) 8-11fav (9-3) Led, headed over 6f out, pushed along over 3f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Mafeking (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
December Draw (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up in mid-division, headway on outer over 2f out, stayed on and edged left inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 10, nk behind Mafeking (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Carcinetto (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Prominent, outpaced over 2f out, never able to challenge, 5th of 11, 11l behind Dunelight (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) pol.
Red Somerset (USA) 14-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, lost place over 5f out, headway on inner over 1f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Mafeking (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Raptor (GER) 11-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, short of room over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 2 1/2l behind Dalradian (9-3) at Lingfield 1m cnd stks (4yo+) (3) pol in Feb.
Thunderstruck 13-2 (8-13) Led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, joined inside final furlong, headed towards finish, ran on, 2nd of 9, hd behind Orchard Supreme (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Confidentiality (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, not pace to reach leaders, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Orchard Supreme (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Drogba (ARG) 9-2 (8-12) Held up in rear, not far away, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong, last of 6, 3 1/2l behind Jaroslaw (8-12) at Lingfield 1m stks (3) pol in Dec.
Officer In Command (USA) 4-1 (8-11) Set steady pace, ridden and quickened 2f out, hung left over 1 f out, headed final strides, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind December Draw (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
