led over 2f, tracked leader, ridden to lead again over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no chance with winner, weakened into 3rd final 100 yards
steadied start and awkwardly away, held up in rear, switched right inside final 3f, switched right and hung left over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
pressed leader, led 7f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders on inside, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, kept on into 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner
tracked leading pair, good headway out wide over 1f out, led entering final furlong, soon clear, easily
always behind
held up in 5th inside, pushed along and outpaced inside final 3f, went moderate 5th post, never dangerous
held up off the pace in last trio, never on terms
A decent and competitive handicap in which most can be afforded fair claims. NANKEEN is the most lightly-raced contender and open to greatest improvement and seems sure to go well for the Crisford team which is enjoying a strike rate of over 30 per cent so far this year. Athmad and Precision Storm, both course and distance winners, were only separated by a neck when coming home one-two here last month. The latter could well turn the tables now on 4lb better terms, even though Athmad has subsequently landed a dead-heat success, but also ran here on Thursday evening when only coming home fourth of five. Lammas has a chance at his best too.
Fox Power (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) In touch, pushed along and headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 7l behind Notre Belle Bete (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Athmad (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Steadied start, waited with in rear, pushed along and unable to quicken over 2f out, never dangerous after, 4th of 5, 4 1/4l behind Fountain Cross (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Nankeen 11-8fav (9-7) Disputing 2nd early, chased leaders, ridden and close up over 1f out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind Diderot (9-9) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Precision Storm 9-2 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, led inside final furlong, edged left, headed close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Athmad (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Lammas 11-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders in 4th, headway out wide approaching halfway, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, ridden and no impression when hung left over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, went 4th post, 4th of 5, 4l behind Civil Law (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Starry Eyes (USA) 200-1 (8-0) Close up on inner, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 16 1/4l behind Notre Belle Bete (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Liberated Lad 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leader until pushed along over 2f out, weakened soon after, last of 8, 16 1/4l behind Mercian Hymn (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Broomy Law 33-1 (8-11) Awkwardly away, towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Fountain Cross (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
