slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, headway when hampered inside final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked clear leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up, some late headway, never nearer
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on, never reached leaders
led, soon 10 lengths clear, headed over 1f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
in touch, headway when hung left over 1f out, switched right entering final furlong, soon hung left again, stayed on to lead closing stages, driven out
behind, headway over 1f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, always behind
Excelling Oscar never threatened the winner when second at Chelmsford last week but is only 3lb higher than February's win at Southwell. He has the beating of Baileys Pursuit on latest running but Laura B looks stuck on her present mark as she attempts to lose her maiden tag. PERFECT BOUNTY is one of the least exposed and she gets a tentative vote in a poor handicap having posted her best effort so far when third on her handicap debut at Kempton in December.
Excelling Oscar (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Mullionheir (9-2) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Laura B 10-1 (9-3) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Birkdale Boy (9-4) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Mary Ann Bugg (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Raced wide keen hung right throughout, soon pressed winner until ran very wide bend 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 7, 9l behind Fullon Clarets (9-5) at Lingfield 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Baileys Pursuit 6-1 (9-5) Reared start and lost all chance, behind, kept on final furlong, 7th of 8, 21l behind Mullionheir (9-2) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Torridonian 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 18l behind Bannister Bell (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Perfect Bounty 9-1 (8-5) Tracked leader, effort over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Moon River (9-0) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Purple Surprise 8-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden halfway, never on terms, 9th of 11, 13l behind Pancake Day (8-12) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Reet Petite (IRE) 25-1 (8-1) Keen close up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 4l behind Spindle (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo clm stks (5) in Dec.
