mid-division, effort halfway, never on terms
slowly away, soon in touch and keen, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
in rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up, headway on inner over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on well
prominent early, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out
towards rear, outpaced halfway, no impression from over 2f out
prominent, weakened 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders until weakened over 3f out
A tight handicap to start off the card, with just 4lbs between top and bottom-weight, and Risk Free - one of only two course and distance winners in the race - just gets the call. The David Evans-trained nine-year-old was good enough to score off a much higher handicap rating than his current one in his younger heyday and has shown signs already this year that he retains a fair degree of ability and enthusiasm. He obliged in selling company here on January 6th and followed that with a close fourth in a handicap three days later. Augustine rates the main danger, as the son of Machiavellian has been in good form recently with a win and three placings to show for his efforts so far this winter season. However, his very best form has been shown on the other circuits at Lingfield and Southwell, so his supporters will have to take on trust that he will be able to run to his best on this track. The booking of Simon Walker for Zonic Boom catches the eye and Bavarica ran well last time, but we give a narrow vote to Risk Free.
Zonic Boom (FR) 6-1 (8-3) In touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 8, 3l behind Sunshine On Me (8-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Pending (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Started slowly and behind, headway over 3f out, never on terms, 8th of 14, 15l behind Blue Empire (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Risk Free 5-1 (8-7) Prominent, chased leader over 6f out, every chance 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 12, 10l behind Danelor (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol.
Bridgewater Boys 9-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 8l behind Speed Dial Harry (9-9) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Bavarica 33-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, hd behind Cup of Love (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Augustine 11-4fav (9-0) Prominent, led over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Golden Square (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs.
Choristar 9-2 (9-6) Held up mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Fiveoclock Express (9-2) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) frm in Jun.
Abbeygate 11-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 22l behind Little Richard (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
