soon prominent, ridden 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up towards rear, no progress final 2f
held up, headway over 2f out, squeezed through well over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no quicken near finish
with leader, led over 2f out, headed and ridden over 1f out, no extra towards finish
mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders
held up, ridden 5f out, no chance with leaders when not clear run inside final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, bumped slightly well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression
prominent, ridden over 2f out, losing place when not much room on inside well over 1f out
held up, headway 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
Another competitive handicap with some in-form horses and the tentative vote goes to St Petersburg at the main expense of Magical Music, Atlantic Quest and Orpen Wide. The selection was a fair third last time out after a break and should strip slightly fitter today. He was contesting much trickier opposition last season and from his fair draw today, he should be able to gain some recompense for that latest defeat. Orpen Wide looks a danger based on his latest win at Southwell, and this very smart dual-performer comes here chasing a hat-trick on the flat. He is very genuine and should go close. Smart Ass was behind the last named on his latest run and has been running well, although he looks best suited to Southwell so for that reason he is passed over here. Atlantic Story chases a four-timer but may struggle off his revised mark in this tougher race, whilst Atlantic Quest never runs a bad race and looks one for a place at least. He is still on a fair mark so must rate a very live danger. However, we will stick with Mark Tompkins' St Petersburg to lead them all home.
Magical Music 4-1 (9-8) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, carried right inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec beating Just Bond (8-12) by a nk, 5 ran.
St Petersburg 10-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Happy as Larry (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Ninth House (USA) 10-1 (9-1) Behind, ridden 3f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Daring Affair (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Atlantic Quest (USA) 9-1 (9-2) Mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken close home, 3rd of 12, nk behind Mataram (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Sew'n'so Character (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway 5f out, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 9, 8l behind Chicken Soup (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Close up, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, driven and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec beating Smart Ass (8-12) by 1l, 8 ran.
Smart Ass (IRE) 11-4 (8-12) Held up in touch, ridden in every chance from 2f out, edged right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Orpen Wide (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Waterline Twenty (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 9, 6l behind Fajr (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Samuel Charles 7-1 (8-10) Towards rear on outside, ridden over 2f out, hung left and kept on, 5th of 10, 2l behind Buy On The Red (8-7) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Atlantic Story (USA) 1-2fav (9-6) Held up, headway on bit over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Dec beating Zamhrear (8-10) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Writ (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Chicken Soup (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
